The MLB store in the Myeongdong shopping district in Seoul, South Korea, on Saturday, March 9, 2024.
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Asia-Pacific markets generally rose on Tuesday as investors took stock of South Korea’s August inflation figures, which fell to the lowest level on a year-on-year basis since March 2021.
The country’s consumer price index recorded an annual increase of 2%, down from July’s 2.6% and in line with expectations from a Reuters poll of economists.
On a monthly basis, CPI rose 0.4%, slightly higher than the 0.3% expected from a Reuters poll.
Japan Nikkei 225 was 0.18% up in early trade, while the Topix was up 0.38%.
South Korea’s Kospi was 0.17% higher, and the small-cap Kosdaq was up 0.02%.
In contrast, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.39%.
Futures for mainland China’s CSI 300 were at 3,265.4, mostly flat compared to the previous close of 3,265. The CSI 300 hit a seven-month low on Monday, dragged down by real estate stocks.
Hong Kong Hang Seng Index futures were at 17,671, lower than HSI’s last close of 17,691.97.
Markets in the US are closed on Monday for the Labor Day holiday. Futures tied to the three major indexes fell earlier in Tuesday’s session. The blue chip Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 57 points, or 0.14%. S&P 500 futures fell 0.12%, and Nasdaq-100 futures fell 0.26%,
— CNBC’s Lisa Kailai Han and Sarah Min contributed to this report.
