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Most Asian stock markets advanced on Monday, supported by a rebound in technology shares after sharp declines last week. However, investors remained cautious ahead of key central bank meetings in Australia and India.
Japanese equities lagged, with the Nikkei 225 down 1.8% and TOPIX falling 1%, pressured by a stronger yen that weighed on export-oriented companies. The yen’s gains were fueled by speculation of a Bank of Japan rate hike and weakness in the U.S. dollar as markets priced in more Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.
On Wall Street, Friday’s in-line U.S. inflation data bolstered expectations for further Fed easing, pushing Treasury yields lower and aiding risk appetite. Still, concerns over a potential U.S. government shutdown and additional trade tariffs capped overall optimism. S&P 500 futures rose 0.2% in Asian trade.
Australia’s ASX 200 gained 0.7%, led by banks and gold miners, as markets awaited the Reserve Bank of Australia’s policy decision on Tuesday. The RBA is widely expected to keep rates unchanged, with analysts at ANZ projecting a likely 25 basis point cut in November, taking the benchmark rate to 3.35%. Recent sticky inflation data has tempered speculation of more aggressive easing.
South Korea’s KOSPI and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index led regional gains, climbing 1.1% and 1.5%, respectively. Technology stocks staged a recovery after last week’s slump, which was triggered by doubts over the artificial intelligence trade and concerns about potential U.S. restrictions on semiconductor imports.
China’s Shanghai Composite rose 0.1% while the CSI 300 advanced 0.6%. Singapore’s Straits Times inched 0.2% higher, and India’s Nifty 50 futures edged up 0.1%, hinting at some relief after last week’s heavy losses. The Reserve Bank of India is expected to hold rates steady but could trim its cash reserve ratio to signal a modest easing bias.
