Asia Markets Mixed, Europe Advances, Gold Hits Record High On Safe-Haven Demand - Global Markets Today While US Slept

Asian markets were trading mixed on Monday, February 10, 2025, with Japan's Nikkei 225 finishing little changed and the Hang Seng index jumping 1.8% (AP, 2025). This mixed performance can be attributed to several specific factors:

1. U.S. President Donald Trump's Tariffs: Trump's announcement of 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports from all countries into the U.S. created uncertainty and impacted Asian markets. However, some markets, like the Hang Seng, managed to gain despite these tariffs, possibly due to hopes for Chinese stimulus measures and expectations of retaliation from China (AP, 2025).
2. Japan's Current Account Surplus: Japan reported a record current account surplus last year of 29 trillion yen ($191 billion), underlining strong returns on overseas investments. This positive economic data may have contributed to the Nikkei 225's slight gain (AP, 2025).
3. Geopolitical Uncertainty: Ongoing geopolitical tensions, such as the Israel-Hamas conflict and Russia's war in Ukraine, have driven investors to seek safe havens like gold, which has been soaring in price (Reuters, 2025). This uncertainty may have contributed to the mixed performance of Asian markets.
4. Market Sentiment: The broader global market trends, such as the S&P 500's near-record high and the Nasdaq's strong performance, may have influenced Asian markets. However, the impact of these trends varied across different Asian markets, leading to the mixed performance (AP, 2025).

European markets advanced on Monday, with the Stoxx Europe 600 index up 0.29% at 8:15 a.m. in London. This performance aligns with the overall global market sentiment, as U.S. stocks also opened higher, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite climbing 0.83% and 1.36% respectively. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also ticked up 0.3%.

Several key sectors and companies contributed to this performance:

1. Energy: Shares of BP PLC rose 6.79% to 462.65p, while Gaztransport et Technigaz fell 4.77% to €137.80. This could be attributed to the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the impact on energy prices.
2. Technology: Chipmakers and technology stocks were broadly higher, with ASML and ASM International both up by around 4.5%. This was buoyed by Apple and Nvidia supplier Foxconn beating expectations to post record revenue in the fourth quarter.
3. Consumer Discretionary: Shares of Iveco Group N.V. rose 3.97% to €14.67, while Sweco AB Series B fell 2.98% to kr186.60. This could be due to varying consumer sentiment and spending patterns.
4. Financials: Telecom Italia S.p.A. rose 0.9% to €0.30, while Banca Popolare di Sondrio S.c.p.A. fell 3.12% to €9.47. This could be influenced by changes in interest rates and economic conditions.

These sector-specific movements, along with broader global market sentiment, contributed to the overall advance of the European markets.

Geopolitical tensions, particularly the Israel-Hamas conflict and Russia's war in Ukraine, have significantly contributed to the surge in safe-haven demand for gold. These conflicts have created uncertainty and instability, prompting investors to seek refuge in gold as a secure and reliable asset. The price of gold climbed to an all-time high on Friday as uncertainty about conflict in the Middle East and the U.S. presidential election sent investors in search of a safe haven. The latest jump is hardly a blip. Gold has soared about 32% since the outset of 2024, outpacing the 23% growth in the S&P 500 and a 28% surge in the tech-heavy Nasdaq over that same period. The monthslong stretch of strong performance owes in large part to an expectation of lower interest rates at the Federal Reserve, which typically coincide with an increase in gold prices, some analysts told

In conclusion, geopolitical tensions, such as the Israel-Hamas conflict and Russia's war in Ukraine, have played a crucial role in driving safe-haven demand for gold. These factors are expected to continue influencing gold prices in the near future, as investors remain cautious and seek secure assets to protect their portfolios during times of uncertainty. The mixed performance of Asian markets and the advance of European markets can be attributed to specific factors, including U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, Japan's current account surplus, geopolitical uncertainty, and market sentiment.