Asian stock markets are trading mostly higher on Thursday, despite the broadly negative cues from Wall Street overnight, amid hopes of lower negotiated reciprocal tariffs on US trade partners in the region, with Japan making positive progress in trade talks with the U.S. However, the escalating U.S.-China trade tensions and a deteriorating outlook for global trade continue to weigh on market sentiment. Asian Markets closed mostly lower on Wednesday.
The Australian market is trading modestly higher on Thursday, reversing the slight losses in the previous session, despite the broadly negative cues from Wall Street overnight. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 is staying below the 7,800 level, with gains mining and energy stocks partially offset by weakness in technology and financial stocks.
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June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.