Asian markets trade in red in early deals on Tuesday

04 Mar 2025 Evaluate
Asian markets traded in red in early deals on Tuesday, mirroring negative trend in Wall Street overnight with the concerns over the economic implications of the newly confirmed tariffs by President Trump, which include a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico and an additional 10% tariff on China. The tariffs are expected to trigger a trade war with the U.S.'s three largest trading partners, potentially leading to increased prices for American consumers. Investor sentiments also dulled after South Korea's manufacturing PMI dropped to 49.9 in February 2025, and 0.6% month-over-month decline in retail trade for January. Sharp sell offs in consumer and technological sector stocks mostly saddled the indices. Meanwhile, participants sidelined ahead of the China's ‘Two Sessions’ meeting, where policymakers may announce new stimulus measures. Hang Seng plunged to its lowest levels in nearly two weeks. Japan’s Nikkei also slipped after the county's unemployment rate rose more than expected, up by 2.5% in January from 2.4% in December, while Japanese firm’s capital spending surprisingly declined in the fourth quarter.

Nikkei 225 plunged by 725.59 points or 1.92% to 37,059.88, Straits Times dipped by 15.32 points or 0.39% to 3,893.60, Hang Seng weak by 105.03 points or 0.46% to 22,901.24, Taiwan Weighted slipped by 80.94 points or 0.36% to 22,675.31, KOSPI Index decreased by 4.57 points or 0.18% to 2,528.21, Jakarta Composite diminished by 84.08 points or 1.29% to 6,435.58, Shanghai Composite narrowed by 0.26 points or 0.01% to 3,316.67 and FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI down by 13.83 points or 0.88% to 1,557.56.

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