Gold prices fall as geopolitical tensions ease; U.S. CPI looms
Investing.com-- Most Asian stock markets were subdued on Monday as investors cautiously awaited updates on the U.S.-China tariff truce set to expire this week, while Australian shares rose to a record high ahead of the RBA’s expected rate cut.
Trading volumes remained thin due to a public holiday in Japan.
Wall Street ended higher on Friday with sharp weekly gains amid Federal Reserve rate cut hopes. U.S. stock index futures edged higher in Asian trading on Monday.
US-China tariff truce deadline looms
The U.S.-China tariff truce, which has kept escalating duties in check, is due to expire on August 12. While markets are hopeful it will be extended, uncertainty persists over the outcome.
The past week’s jump in Chinese exports, reported at 7.2% year-on-year for July, suggests exporters rushed to ship goods ahead of potential renewed tariffs.
Additionally, the U.S. implemented new “reciprocal” tariffs on August 7, targeting goods from countries with duties up to 50%.
China’s Shanghai Composite index edged 0.1% higher, while the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 gained 0.2%.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index edged 0.1% lower on Monday.
Both South Korea’s KOSPI index and Singapore’s Straits Times Index were largely flat.
In corporate news, South Korea’s SK Hynix Inc (KS:000660) shares climbed more than 3% on Monday after a Reuters report said that the company expects the AI-focused memory chip market to grow 30% annually through 2030.
Elsewhere, the Philippines’ PSEi Composite fell 0.5%, while Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite Index jumped 0.6%.
Futures tied to India’s Nifty 50 edged 0.1% higher.
Australia stocks at record high ahead of RBA rate decision
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 index rose as much as 0.5% to hit a fresh record high on Monday as investors bet the Reserve Bank of Australia will cut interest rates at its policy meeting this week.
Markets expect the central bank to lower the cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.60% on Tuesday.
The case for a cut has strengthened amid weak inflation prints and signs of a cooling labour market.