Asian stock markets off to a solid start in the final month of the year

Asian stock markets started the final month of 2025 on a strong note, buoyed by optimism about a potential US Federal Reserve interest rate cut ahead of economic data releases.

The Nikkei 225 index is displayed at a foreign exchange trading company in Tokyo (Japan). Photo: Kyodo/TTXVN

MSCI's broadest index of Asia- Pacific shares outside Japan was steady at 703.19. The index has risen 23.5% this year and is on track for its best annual gain since 2017.

In China, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 0.6% to 26,012.78 points, while the Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.2% to 3,896.72 points. Meanwhile, Japan's Nikkei Index fell 1.7% to 49,407.31 points.

Risk-on speculators entered December 2025 with a bullish outlook on the market, as concerns that dominated the market until mid-November 2025 gradually dissipated, said Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone (a provider of forex, stocks, commodities and other asset classes trading services).

This week, investors will focus on US economic reports, including manufacturing and services activity, as well as consumer sentiment.

Matt Simpson, senior market analyst at US financial services firm StoneX, said the US data gap has finally been filled and there are a number of economic events coming up in December that could have a significant impact on markets. He said that if the upcoming figures only signal a slowdown in the economy, traders will likely remain bullish.

Investors will be looking to comments from Fed Chairman Jerome Powell later in the day for clues on the Fed's policy decision at its meeting this month. Recent comments from policymakers have convinced investors that the Fed is considering a rate cut at its upcoming meeting, with an 87% chance.

Attention will also turn to early signs of holiday consumer spending as figures from the Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday retail events are released.

According to Adobe Analytics, which tracks 1 trillion shopper visits to online retail sites, US consumers spent a record $11.8 billion online, up 9.1% from 2024.

In the domestic market on the morning of December 1, the VN-Index increased by 13.83 points, or 0.82%, to 1,704.82 points. The HNX-Index decreased by 0.2 points, or 0.08%, to 259.71 points.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thi-truong-tien-te/cac-thi-truong-chung-khoan-chau-a-khoi-dau-vung-chac-trong-thang-cuoi-cung-cua-nam-20251201132448193.htm