Tokyo, Japan – In the aftermath of former President Donald Trump’s surprising victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, Asia-Pacific markets experienced a mix of reactions. The Tokyo Stock Exchange saw the Nikkei 225 index lose 0.25% while the broader Topix index recorded a gain of 0.95%. The yen initially weakened against the dollar before slightly recovering.
In South Korea, the Kospi index was down by 0.19% and the small cap Kosdaq index dropped by 1.45%. Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index initially fell but ultimately rose by 0.9%. Similarly, China’s CSI 300 index also saw a 0.5% increase in value.
With Trump’s victory becoming increasingly likely, both Hong Kong and mainland Chinese stocks faced declines. In China, there were discussions within the National People’s Congress standing committee regarding a plan to raise local government debt to address financial challenges faced by local authorities.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 index traded 0.41% lower in response to the news. Back in the U.S., following Trump’s win, all three major indices hit record highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged by 1,508.05 points while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite also saw significant gains.
Investors around the world are closely monitoring the market reactions to Trump’s unexpected victory and how it may impact global economies in the coming months. The uncertainty surrounding policy changes and trade agreements under a new administration could introduce volatility in financial markets. As market participants analyze the implications of this election outcome, they are preparing for potential shifts in monetary and fiscal policies.