

Asia-Pacific Markets
The dollar reversed its recent tumble following comments from President Donald Trump and major indexes stateside finished mostly higher ahead of Asia’s Friday trading day.
The Dow Jones industrial average ended the session at a record, with markets focused on upbeat corporate earnings releases. Around 78 percent of SP 500 companies that have reported quarterly earnings have topped expectations, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
On Thursday, the Dow advanced 0.54 percent, or 140.67 points, to close at 26,392.79. Other indexes were little changed on the day: The SP 500 finished the session higher by 0.06 percent and the Nasdaq composite was 0.05 percent softer at the close.
Back in Asia, futures suggested Japanese equities would be subdued at the open. Futures traded in Chicago were flat at 23,670 while Osaka futures were 0.25 percent lower at 23,610 compared to the benchmark’s Thursday close.
Markets in Australia and India will be closed for Australia Day and Republic Day, respectively.
Today’s schedule
Here’s the economic calendar for Friday (all times in HK/SIN):
- 7:50 a.m.: Bank of Japan monetary policy meeting minutes
- 9:30 a.m.: China industrial profits
