Asian Stocks Mixed as U.S. Hits 15-Month High

Asia Pacific Stock Exchange on board
Asia Pacific Stock Exchange on board. Image by sureeporn/Depositphotos

Asian stocks were mixed on Tuesday after New York stocks reached a 15-month peak before closing for the 4th of July holiday.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.9% to 33,445.55 while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.4% to 19,393.33. The Shanghai Composite Index remained relatively unchanged at 3,243.86.

South Korea’s Kospi declined 0.3% to 2,594.32 while India’s Sensex edged just 0.1% higher after markets opened to 65,292.46.

These movements followed major gains from U.S. stocks, with the benchmark S&P 500 index rising to 4,455.59; its highest level since April 2022. The Dow Jones Industrial Index edged higher by 0.1% to 34,418.47 while the Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 0.2% to 13,816.77.

Oil prices increased after announcements by Saudi Arabia and Russia that they would both be extending their production cuts. Benchmark U.S. crude gained 31 cents to $70.10 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange and 74.97 per barrel in London.

Australia’s central bank’s decision to hold interest rates steady seemed to have a minimal effect on Asian and global stocks.

Tom P
Tom loves sports so much but prefers watching other people do it. He prefers not to share what teams he's supporting but he is willing to admit that Lebron James is the king. Other than sports, he's interested in stock markets and food.