Asian markets moved in different directions on Wednesday with countries like Japan and Taiwan registering small gains, following a strong performance on Wall Street the previous day.However, ongoing concerns about US trade policy under president Donald Trump continued to make investors worried.
Associated Press reported that in Tokyo, Japan’s main stock index Nikkei rose slightly, but shares of car companies dipped after Trump signed an order that rolled back some tariffs on car parts. Hong Kong and South Korea saw declines, while Taiwan and Australia showed small gains.
In the US, the main stock indexes continued their upward streak. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq both rose, helped by strong earnings reports from major companies. Honeywell International saw its stock jump over 5% after it reported higher-than-expected profits and raised its forecast for the year. Paint maker Sherwin-Williams also posted solid gains.
UPS, the world’s largest package delivery company, reported better profits than analysts expected. However, it also announced plans to cut 20,000 jobs and close 73 buildings due to economic uncertainty, which pushed its shares slightly lower.
Many CEOs are unsure how long profits can hold up amid Trump’s unpredictable tariff policies. There’s growing concern that tariffs could slow down global trade and make goods more expensive. A recent report showed US consumer confidence has fallen sharply—now at its lowest since 2011. That’s usually a warning sign for recession. Even Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent acknowledged the tension, calling the economic confusion a “strategic” part of Trump’s negotiation tactics.
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