Asian markets opened lower on Friday, ending their longest winning streak since January, as investor sentiment took a hit amid growing uncertainty over potential US Federal Reserve rate cuts. Shares in Japan and Australia declined, while South Korea edged slightly higher.With Japan’s trade agreement with the US temporarily settled, market focus shifted to the European Union’s efforts to reach a deal with Washington to avert new US tariffs ahead of next week’s deadline.Wall Street hit new highs on Thursday, with the S&P 500 posting its 10th record in 19 sessions, driven by technology sector gains, despite broader market weakness with most constituent stocks declining.The Dow Jones fell 316.20 points (0.70%) to 44,694.09, the S&P 500 edged up 4.48 points (0.07%) to 6,363.39, and the Nasdaq gained 37.94 points (0.18%) to finish at 21,057.96. US Treasury bonds maintained their losses, with two-year bond yields at 3.91%. The US dollar strengthened, continuing its upward movement from Thursday.The S&P 500 has increased 28% since its April lows, as investors became more confident about limited economic impact from President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, Bloomberg reported.Recent robust employment data reduced expectations for immediate Fed rate cuts before next week’s central bank meeting. Following six consecutive weeks of declining jobless claims, traders adjusted their projections to fewer than two rate reductions this year.Technology shares advanced Thursday, supported by strong Alphabet Inc. results, reinforcing confidence in artificial intelligence benefits for US technology companies. Nvidia Corp reached new price levels.US equity futures rose early Friday following Intel Corp.’s positive revenue guidance.Trading specialists at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Citadel Securities are advising clients to secure affordable protection against potential US stock market declines, citing various risks to current market highs.Additionally, Trump indicated that removing Fed chair Jerome Powell was not “necessary” after visiting the central bank’s premises.Key market figures as of 0230 GMT:
- Tokyo (Nikkei 225): Down 0.6% at 41,570.24
- Hong Kong (Hang Seng): Down 0.7% at 25,487.95
- Shanghai (Composite): Down 0.2% at 3,597.77
- New York (Dow Jones): Down 0.7% at 44,693.91 (previous close)
- London (FTSE 100): Up 0.9% at 9,138.37 (previous close)
