Hong Kong, Feb 16 : Asian equities remained largely subdued on Monday as holiday closures for Lunar New Year in China, Seoul, and Taipei, along with half-day sessions in Hong Kong and Singapore, limited trading activity. Tokyo ended marginally lower by 0.03%, while Hong Kong recorded a 0.4% gain.
Japan’s GDP growth of just 0.1% for late 2025 fell short of the expected 0.4%, presenting an early challenge for newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who had promised economic revitalisation. Economists noted that the large supplementary budget passed in November had yet to stimulate public spending, indicating the need for swift fiscal measures.
Global cues also influenced sentiment, with US markets closed for Presidents’ Day and January inflation data showing core inflation at 2.4%, the lowest since March 2021. Despite the positive data, concerns lingered over AI-driven tech sector investments, following last week’s sectoral decline.
Gold prices edged down slightly after reaching $5,000 per ounce, though analysts expect strong support amid potential Federal Reserve rate cuts. Meanwhile, the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi began, drawing industry leaders such as OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Google’s Sundar Pichai, highlighting the growing influence of AI on global markets and technological development.