Mixed dynamic in Asia as investors await US inflation data

Asian equity markets were mixed on Wednesday, with the dollar falling to multi-months lows against the yen and as traders awaited high-impact economic reports later in the day.

The Nikkei 225 plunged more than one percent, giving up early gains as the dollar continued to weaken, letting the yen take over control and weight on exporters.

Earlier in Asian hours, Japan’s fourth-quarter gross domestic product came below expectations on quarterly and yearly basis.

According to the latest revision, the economy expanded 0.1 percent in the last quarter of 2017. When compared with 2016 economic growth rate, the index showed a 0.5 percent build.

In South Korea, the Kospi added nearly 0.60 percent, with heavyweight names such as Samsung Electronics setting the positive tone, while others like LG Electronics retreated.

Sydney’s S&P/ASX 200 edged down with key financial institutions moving lower in the day. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was up about 0.75 percent, with China Construction Bank contributing most to gains, along with HSBC.

In the prior session, Wall Street top three indexes were able to close higher, adding to a 3-day winning correction streak. The Dow Jones industrial average ended 39.25 points higher at 24,640.45, with Goldman Sachs and 3M among best performers.

The S&P 500 added 0.3 percent to 2,662.94, with Wells Fargo on top of the list. The Nasdaq composite jumped 0.5 percent to finish at 7,013.51, with Nvidia and Amazon rising 2 percent.

<<< Asian Stock Indexes at 06:10 GMT >>>

Australia ASX S&P -17.00 -0.29% 5,940.00

Shanghai Composite +8.17 +0.26% 3,193.13

Hong Kong Hang Seng +359.73 +1.21% 30,199.26

Japan Nikkei 225 -58.79 -0.28% 21,185.89

Taiwan TSEC 50 Index +49.34 +0.48% 10,421.09

<<< Next in Europe >>>

The German consumer price index for January is expected to be released at 07:00 GMT, with a 0.7 percent decline seen. A revision on the fourth-quarter gross domestic product will be available at 07:00 GMT, with a quarterly growth rate of 0.6 percent seen.

The Eurozone will also publish its Q4 GDP at 10:00 GMT. Industrial production for December is due for release at 10:00 GMT. ECB Mersch will speak at 10:20 GMT.

<<< Next in United States >>>

The Consumer Price Index is due for release as of 13:30 GMT on Wednesday, with a 0.3 percent build seen. At the same time, retail sales figures for January will be presented, with analysts’ forecasting a 0.5 percent month-over-month growth. Also, business inventories for December are expected to be released at 15:00 GMT.

FortFS