Forex Analysis & Reviews: 19.02.2021 - Asian stocks edge lower

Live Chat

InstaForex - Official partner of Dragon Racing

This section features the most important information about trading with InstaForex. We provide both analysis from leading experts for experienced traders and articles on trading conditions for beginners. Our services will help increase your profit potential.

Become Trader

Account Opening

See also

Trading Conditions

Forex Analytics

Charts

This section is designed for those who are just starting their trading journey. InstaForex educational and analytical materials will meet your training needs. Our experts' recommendations will make your first steps to trading success simple and clear.

Start as Beginner

How to start trading

Useful information

Training and recordings

InstaForex innovative services are an essential element of productive investment. We strive to provide our clients with advanced technical capabilities and make their trading routine comfortable as we are recognized as the best broker in this regard.

Become Investor

PAMM System

ForexCopy System

Passive investments

OYS account

Partnership with InstaForex is beneficial and top-tier. Join our affiliate programs and enjoy bonuses, partner rewards, and the possibility to travel with the team of the world-renowned brand.

Become Partner

Main Page

Partner Area

Advantages for Affiliates

Registration

This section contains the most lucrative offers from InstaForex. Receive bonuses when topping up an account, compete with other traders, and get real prizes even when trading in a demo account.

All Promo Campaigns

Bonuses

Contests

Events

Holidays with InstaForex are not only pleasant but also useful. We offer a one-stop portal, numerous forums, and corporate blogs, where traders can exchange experiences and become successfully integrated into the Forex community.

Full details

Forums

We are in social networks

Forex humour

Forex Portal

InstaForex is an international brand created in 2007. The company provides services for online FX trading and is recognized as one of the world's leading brokers. We have won the trust of more than 7,000,000 retail traders, who have already appreciated our reliability and focus on innovations.

Learn More

History

Why Choose Us

InstaSport

Regulation

Company News

Awards

InstaForex Stars

InstaForex Offline

Headquarters

Key documents

Social Responsibility

InstaForex - Official partner of Dragon Racing

19.02.2021 02:10 PM

Asian stocks edge lower

Stock markets across the Asia-Pacific region edged lower this morning. Major stock indices began a downward trend, but some indicators managed to advance. The downside momentum can be attributed to negative dynamics in the equity markets of the United States.

Japan's Nikkei 225 shed 0.72%. Notably, the index has been declining for the third trading session in a row.

Japanese investors are assessing statistics on the country's economy. As it became known, Japan's core consumer prices fell by 0.6% in January from a year earlier. However, in the previous month, a drop in consumer prices was even greater. The country's CPI dipped by 1.2% in December. At the same time, most experts predicted a 1% reduction in January.

Another key indicator that is of great importance for the country's main regulator - the level of consumer prices excluding fresh food - also decreased by 0.6%, surging from a 1% drop in December. In this case, the result almost matched its initial forecast of a 0.7% reduction.

Japan's services PMI index also dipped in February, marking its lowest level in the last six months. The indicator fell to 45.8 from January's final of 46.1. Moreover, this was the 13th straight month of contraction in the service sector.

However, there are some positive reports. Japan's factory activity, on the contrary, is gaining ground. The Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index increased to 50.6 from its previous value of 49.8. Recall that a reading above 50 indicates an expansion of the manufacturing sector. Moreover, the industry has not seen such a high index for almost two years.

China's Shanghai Composite Index sank 0.57% today. The Hong Kong Hang Seng Index followed suit, losing 0.17%.

South Korea's KOSPI index was among the lucky ones which managed to edge higher. It increased by 0.68%.

The Australian S&P/ASX 200 index showed negative dynamics, shedding 1.34%. At the same time, statistics across the country are far from positive. In particular, retail sales declined by 0.6% in January, compared to a 4.1% drop in the previous month. However, analysts expected the indicator to contract by about 2%.

The Australian Services Purchasing Managers Index decreased to 54.1 in February. However, a reading above 50 points indicates that activity in this area is expanding. However, the previous reading was 55.8. This suggests that activity has still declined, and even considerably.

You have already liked this post today

*Disclaimer: The market analysis posted here is meant to increase your awareness, but not to give instructions to make a trade.