Asian stock markets are trading mostly weak on Friday, following the broadly negative cues from global markets overnight, amid continuing worries about inflation, interest rates and outlook for global economic growth after the US Fed's hawkish indications it will keep interest rates at elevated levels for longer than previously anticipated to combat stubborn inflation, after one more rate hike this year. Asian markets ended mostly lower on Thursday.
The Australian stock market is significantly lower on Friday, extending the losses in the previous four sessions, with the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 staying just above the 7,000 mark, following the broadly negative cues from global markets overnight, with weakness across most sectors, led by heavyweight mining stocks and technology stocks.
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April 17, 2026 15:29 ET The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to raise concerns for policymakers who worry about the impact of the supply shock and high energy prices on the real economy. Producer price data and various survey results on the housing market were the main news from the U.S. this week. In Europe, industrial production data for the euro area gained attention. GDP figures out of China and the policy move by the Singapore central bank were in focus in Asia.