Index	Price	Daily Change (%)
Shanghai Composite	4,082.07	-1.26%
Nikkei 225	56,825.70	-1.12%
Hang Seng Index	27,081.91	+2.53%
Shenzhen Component	14,100.19	-1.28%
KOSPI	5,846.09	+0.65%
S&P/ASX 200	9,026.00	-0.61%
NIFTY 50	25,713.00	+0.55%
Straits Times Index	5,041.33	+0.47%
S&P/NZX 50	13,420.43	+0.84%
Thailand SET Index	1,480.24	+0.04%
FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI	1,757.98	+0.29%
TAIEX	33,773.26	+0.50%

As of February 24, 2026, Asian markets exhibited mixed performance amid ongoing uncertainties surrounding U.S. tariff policies and regional economic developments.

### Key Events Impacting Asian Indices
The announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump to impose a new 15% global tariff following a Supreme Court ruling has stirred significant concern among investors. This decision is seen as a response to the court’s invalidation of previous tariffs, creating a backdrop of confusion and apprehension regarding international trade dynamics. Despite this, South Korea’s Kospi index managed to reach a fresh high, indicating a degree of resilience among investors, while other indices like the Shanghai Composite and Nikkei 225 experienced declines of 1.26% and 1.12%, respectively.

### Market Sentiment and Price Movements
Market sentiment across Asia appears cautious but somewhat optimistic in specific regions. The Hang Seng Index rose by 2.53%, reflecting a positive outlook among Hong Kong businesses who are reportedly taking the tariff changes in stride. In contrast, the Shanghai Composite and Shenzhen Component both fell by over 1%, suggesting that mainland investors are more apprehensive about the implications of U.S. trade policy. The KOSPI’s increase of 0.65% indicates a strong domestic market response, potentially bolstered by local economic factors and investor confidence.

### Regional Economic Developments
In broader economic news, the launch of Citi’s new Korea desk in Chicago highlights the increasing presence of Korean corporates in North America, signaling robust growth in the region’s economic ties. Additionally, the appointment of Carles Tondo as head of property for QBE in Asia points to ongoing developments in the insurance sector, which may enhance regional economic stability.

Overall, while the Asian markets are navigating through turbulent trade waters, certain indices and sectors are displaying resilience, suggesting a complex interplay of local and international economic factors as of February 24, 2026.

Date	Time	Cur	Imp	Event	Actual	Forecast
2026-02-23	00:00		Medium	Core CPI (YoY) (Jan)	1.00%
2026-02-23	00:00		Medium	CPI (YoY) (Jan)	1.4%
2026-02-23	20:00		Medium	China Loan Prime Rate 5Y (Feb)		3.50%
2026-02-23	20:00		Medium	PBoC Loan Prime Rate		3.00%

On February 24, 2026, traders should closely analyze the recent economic data releases from Asian countries, particularly focusing on Singapore and China.

**Singapore Economic Data:**
1. **Core CPI (YoY) for January**: The actual figure came in at **1.00%**. The forecast for this data point was not provided, but the result indicates a stable inflation environment, suggesting that consumer prices are not escalating significantly beyond the central bank’s comfort zone.

2. **CPI (YoY) for January**: The actual CPI was reported at **1.4%**, again with no forecast available. This reflects a moderate inflation rate, which may lead to a cautious stance from the Monetary Authority of Singapore regarding future monetary policy adjustments.

**China Economic Data:**
1. **Loan Prime Rate (5Y)**: The forecast for this rate was **3.50%**, but no actual data was reported. This indicates that traders should remain alert for future announcements that could signal changes in lending conditions, which directly affect economic growth.

2. **PBoC Loan Prime Rate**: The forecast was **3.00%**, with no actual data released. Similar to the 5Y rate, the absence of actual figures suggests potential market volatility as traders await clarity on the People’s Bank of China’s monetary policy stance.

**Market Implications:**
– The stable inflation data from Singapore may bolster confidence in the Singaporean economy, potentially supporting the Straits Times Index as investors may expect no immediate tightening of monetary policy.
– In China, the lack of actual data on the Loan Prime Rates could lead to uncertainty in the markets. Traders may react cautiously, particularly in sectors sensitive to interest rates, such as real estate and banking.

Overall, the mixed signals from these economic indicators could lead to varied reactions in Asian indices, with Singapore likely experiencing a more positive sentiment compared to the cautious outlook for China until further clarity is provided.

### FX Pairs Performance

– **USD/JPY**: Currently trading at 154.5350, the pair has experienced a slight decline of -0.20%. This movement reflects ongoing market adjustments amid fluctuating interest rate expectations from the Bank of Japan and the Federal Reserve.

– **USD/CNY**: The pair remains stable at 6.9075 with no daily change. The Chinese yuan’s stability is influenced by the People’s Bank of China’s monetary policy and economic data releases, which are closely monitored by investors.

– **AUD/USD**: Trading at 0.7080, this pair has seen a minor decrease of -0.08%. The Australian dollar’s performance is largely driven by commodity prices and the outlook for the Chinese economy, as Australia is a significant trading partner.

– **NZD/USD**: Currently at 0.5975, the New Zealand dollar has also experienced a slight decline of -0.07%. The NZD is influenced by global risk sentiment and agricultural commodity prices, particularly dairy.

### Commodities Performance

No commodities data is available for analysis.

### Cryptocurrency Performance

– **Bitcoin**: Priced at $66,007, Bitcoin has seen a significant decline of -2.44%. This drop can be attributed to regulatory concerns and market volatility, as investors react to macroeconomic factors and potential changes in regulatory frameworks.

– **Ethereum**: Currently valued at $1,909, Ethereum has also decreased by -2.50%. Similar to Bitcoin, Ethereum’s price movement is influenced by broader market sentiment, technological developments, and competition within the blockchain space.

### Market Drivers

The performance of FX pairs is primarily driven by central bank policies, economic indicators, and geopolitical events. In

Pair	Price	Daily Change (%)
USD/JPY	154.53	-0.20%
USD/CNY	6.91	+0.00%
AUD/USD	0.71	-0.08%
NZD/USD	0.60	-0.07%

Asset	Price	Daily Change (%)
Bitcoin	$66,007	-2.44%
Ethereum	$1,909	-2.50%

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