By Asian markets delivered mixed results as weak global sentiment and concerns over U.S. tariffs weighed on investor confidence. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 opened 0.81% lower, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell by 0.7%. Japan’s markets were closed for a public holiday, adding to the region’s uneven performance.
The cautious mood in Asia mirrored broader global trends, with U.S. stock futures showing signs of recovery after a sharp decline on Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average had dropped 1.69%, reflecting investor anxiety ahead of key economic data releases, including the Chicago Fed National Activity Index.
In Europe, markets stabilized following the German election, which avoided extreme outcomes. Investors are now focused on upcoming Eurozone inflation and business sentiment data, which could influence market movements.
Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar weakened against major currencies, pushing gold prices near record highs. Bitcoin remained stable around $96,000, while oil prices held steady as traders awaited U.S. inflation data.