Global stocks exhibited mixed trends on Monday, as investors sought bargains despite lingering concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policies, reports AP.
In early trading, France’s CAC 40 edged up 0.2% to 7,988.29, while Germany’s DAX gained 0.3% to 21,817.79. Britain’s FTSE 100 climbed 0.4% to 8,738.98. U.S. stock futures indicated a modest rise, with Dow futures increasing by 0.2% to 44,507.00 and S&P 500 futures advancing 0.3% to 6,067.50.
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In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 closed nearly flat, rising less than 0.1% to 38,801.17. The Japanese government announced a record current account surplus of 29 trillion yen ($191 billion) for the previous year, reflecting strong returns from overseas investments, aided by a weak yen and a recovery in Japanese exports.
The current account surplus, a broad measure of trade performance, surged nearly 30% from the prior year, marking its highest level since comparable records began in 1985.
In currency markets, the U.S. dollar strengthened to 152.41 Japanese yen, up from 151.39 yen, while the euro dipped slightly to $1.0321 from $1.0328.
Shares of Nippon Steel, whose planned acquisition of U.S. Steel faces opposition from Trump—as it did from former President Joe Biden—fell 0.5%. During a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday, Trump stated that Nippon Steel should instead invest in U.S. Steel.
Japan’s government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters in Tokyo on Monday that Nippon Steel was preparing “a bold proposal” to invest in U.S. Steel, aiming for a “win-win” outcome for both countries, though he did not elaborate. Nippon Steel declined to comment.
Despite Trump’s tariffs on Chinese imports, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index climbed 1.8% to 21,521.98, while the Shanghai Composite gained 0.6% to 3,322.17.
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Technology stocks were among the gainers, amid optimism over potential Chinese stimulus measures. China is countering the U.S. tariffs with its own levies on selected American imports and has launched an antitrust investigation into Google.
Trump announced that he would impose 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports into the U.S., effective Monday.
According to Stephen Innes, managing partner at SPI Asset Management, markets are bracing for volatility, as Asian economies—along with Mexico and Canada—will be affected by the tariffs.
Trump has granted a 30-day exemption for all imports from Mexico and Canada, but the newly imposed 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium will still apply to them once the exemption expires.
“Asian markets are facing a turbulent start,” said Innes, though he noted that some of the anticipated impact may have already been priced in.
South Korea’s Kospi edged down less than 0.1% to 2,521.27, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.3% to 8,482.80.
Investors are also monitoring corporate earnings reports.
Automakers Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Corp. are set to release their earnings on Thursday, as speculation mounts that their joint holding company talks may fall apart. Recent Japanese media reports, citing unnamed sources, have caused fluctuations in both stocks over the past week. On Monday, Honda shares fell 0.9%, while Nissan declined 0.8%.
In commodities, benchmark U.S. crude gained 40 cents, reaching $71.40 per barrel, while Brent crude, the global benchmark, rose 41 cents to $75.07 per barrel.