New Delhi, 8 May (HS): Asian stocks opened with limited movement following the Federal Reserve’s statement that it does not plan to lower interest rates hastily, while investors are keenly watching the impending trade negotiations between China and the US before making high-risk investments. A regional stock gauge fell 0.4%, and US equity-index futures remained flat in early Asian trading. In the US session, chipmakers drove gains amidst reports that the Trump administration is considering lifting Biden-era restrictions on AI-related exports, although the Nasdaq Golden Dragon China Index experienced its largest decline in almost three weeks on Wednesday.
– S&P 500 futures rose 0.4% as of 10:10 a.m. Tokyo time.
-Hang Seng futures fell 0.6%.-Japan’s Topix fell 0.2%.-Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was little changed.-Euro Stoxx 50 futures rose 0.4%.
Market sentiment is cautious following Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s comments on rising risks linked to unemployment and inflation. Global stock indices dipped this week after four weeks of gains, while investors await trade negotiations with China.
Analyst Kyle Rodda described the Fed’s outlook as neutral, suggesting a wait and see stance due to economic uncertainty. Federal officials prefer steady rates until clearer economic direction emerges. Treasury yields fell slightly, and while the dollar strengthened, gold prices rebounded slightly after declines.
Trump’s commitment to tariffs complicates trade talks, underpinning concerns over inflation and employment, with economists emphasizing the unpredictable nature of trade policy’s economic impacts.
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
