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Asian Session Market Recap

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Asian Session Market Recap

Note: This analysis covers the Asian trading session close for February 03, 2026. All times are in US Eastern Time (ET).

Asian Indices Performance

Index Price Daily Change (%)
Shanghai Composite 4067.74 +1.29
Nikkei 225 54720.66 +3.92
Hang Seng Index 26834.77 +0.22
Shenzhen Component 14127.11 +2.19
KOSPI 5288.08 +6.84
S&P/ASX 200 8857.10 +0.89
NIFTY 50 25727.55 +2.55
Straits Times Index 4944.09 +1.06
S&P/NZX 50 13421.52 -0.22
Thailand SET Index 1336.11 +1.11
FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI 1748.26 +0.42
TAIEX 32195.36 +1.81

Market Commentary

On February 03, 2026, Asian markets exhibited a robust performance, driven by a combination of geopolitical developments and positive economic sentiment. The Indian rupee and stock market surged following the U.S. announcement of a significant tariff reduction on Indian goods, which has fostered optimism among investors. The Nifty 50 index rose by 2.55%, reflecting renewed confidence in the Indian economy.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index climbed 3.92%, buoyed by a favorable corporate earnings season and a weaker yen, which has improved the competitiveness of Japanese exports. The KOSPI in South Korea also showed remarkable gains, up 6.84%, as investors reacted positively to improved economic indicators and corporate performance.

Conversely, the Hong Kong market saw a slight increase in the Hang Seng Index, which rose by 0.22%. However, the property sector remains under scrutiny as home sales in January fell by 15.2%. Despite this, real estate agents are optimistic about a potential “mini-boom” during the Lunar New Year, as recent new-home launches have sold out quickly.

A significant event impacting the broader Asian market is the European Commission’s investigation into Chinese wind turbine manufacturer Goldwind, which could have implications for Chinese firms operating in Europe. This scrutiny over foreign subsidies may affect investor sentiment towards Chinese equities, particularly in the renewable energy sector.

In the aviation sector, China’s Civil Aviation Administration proposed regulatory changes to facilitate the use of narrow runways for the C919 jet, aiming to enhance its competitiveness against Airbus and Boeing. This move is seen as a strategic effort to penetrate Southeast Asian markets, potentially boosting the regional aviation industry.

Additionally, a survey by FWD Group revealed that 71% of Asia’s middle class feels financially anxious, primarily due to rising living costs and healthcare expenses. This sentiment could influence consumer spending patterns and investment strategies across the region.

Overall, Asian indices are experiencing upward momentum, reflecting a blend of positive economic indicators and strategic developments, despite underlying concerns in specific sectors. Investors should remain vigilant of geopolitical tensions and regulatory changes that may impact market dynamics in the coming weeks.

Economic Calendar – Asian Session

All times are in US Eastern Time (ET)

Date Time Cur Imp Event Actual Forecast
None 02:00 Medium CPI (MoM) (Jan) 4.84% 4.32%
None 02:00 Medium CPI (YoY) (Jan) 30.65% 30.00%
None 02:45 Medium French CPI (MoM) (Jan) -0.3% -0.1%
None 02:45 Medium French HICP (MoM) (Jan) -0.3%
None 03:00 Medium Spanish Unemployment Change (Jan) 30.4K 13.4K
None 04:00 Medium IPC-Fipe Inflation Index (MoM) (Jan) 0.21%
None 07:00 Medium Industrial Production (YoY) (Dec) 1.0%
None 09:40 Medium FOMC Member Bowman Speaks
None 09:50 Medium German Buba Balz Speaks
None 10:00 High JOLTS Job Openings (Dec) 7.230M
None 16:30 Medium API Weekly Crude Oil Stock
None 19:30 Medium au Jibun Bank Services PMI (Jan) 53.4
None 20:45 Medium RatingDog Services PMI (Jan) 51.9

On February 03, 2026, the Asian session witnessed significant economic events that could influence market dynamics.

In Turkey, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for January reported a month-over-month increase of 4.84%, surpassing the forecast of 4.32%. Year-over-year CPI also exceeded expectations, coming in at 30.65% against a forecast of 30.00%. These higher-than-expected inflation figures may prompt the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey to consider tightening monetary policy, which could strengthen the Turkish lira in the short term but may also raise concerns about economic growth.

In the Eurozone, France’s CPI for January showed a month-over-month decline of 0.3%, worse than the anticipated decrease of 0.1%. This unexpected drop could signal weakening consumer demand, potentially impacting the European Central Bank’s stance on interest rates in the coming months. Additionally, Spain reported an unemployment change of 30.4K in January, significantly higher than the forecast of 13.4K, indicating a deterioration in the labor market that may further complicate economic recovery efforts in the region.

In Brazil, the IPC-Fipe Inflation Index recorded a modest increase of 0.21% for January, though no forecast was provided. The market will be keenly observing upcoming industrial production data for December, which is projected at 1.0%, as it will provide further insights into Brazil’s economic health.

Overall, these developments highlight potential volatility in currency markets, particularly for the Turkish lira and the euro, as investors reassess their outlooks based on inflationary pressures and labor market conditions.

Individual Index Charts

KOSPI

KOSPI Chart

S&P/NZX 50

S&P/NZX 50 Chart

Nikkei 225

Nikkei 225 Chart

FX, Commodities & Crypto

In recent trading sessions, FX pairs exhibited notable movements, particularly with the USD/JPY rising by 0.23%, reflecting ongoing market reactions to U.S. interest rate expectations. The EUR/JPY and GBP/JPY also showed gains, driven by stronger economic data from the Eurozone and UK. Conversely, GBP/USD declined slightly, influenced by ongoing political uncertainties.

In commodities, gold surged by 6.77%, and silver by 12.01%, largely due to a flight to safety amid geopolitical tensions and inflation concerns. Crude oil remained stable, while natural gas prices fell marginally.

In the cryptocurrency market, Bitcoin and Ethereum experienced declines of 0.65% and 2.94%, respectively, as regulatory scrutiny and market corrections weighed on investor sentiment. XRP also faced downward pressure. The overall international landscape reflects cautious trading amid economic uncertainties and geopolitical risks.

Currency Pairs

Pair Rate Daily Change (%)
USD/JPY 155.88 +0.23
EUR/JPY 183.82 +0.28
GBP/JPY 212.96 +0.21
AUD/USD 0.70 +0.82
EUR/USD 1.18 +0.01
GBP/USD 1.37 -0.04
USD/CNY 6.94 -0.13

Commodities

Commodity Price Daily Change (%)
Gold 4935.60 +6.77
Silver 86.00 +12.01
Crude Oil WTI 62.14 0.00
Natural Gas 3.23 -0.28

Cryptocurrencies

Crypto Price Daily Change (%)
Bitcoin 78163.65 -0.65
Ethereum 2275.61 -2.94
XRP 1.60 -1.06

Disclaimer

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