FX.co ★ Asian stock markets keep trading in positive territory

This morning, Asia-Pacific stock markets display mostly positive dynamics although with some minor pullbacks. The region's main stock indicators are growing amid renewed hopes for a speedy recovery of the global economy from the consequences of the coronavirus crisis. These hopes are supported by a mass rollout of the vaccination program across the world. Although it faced some difficulties at the very beginning, there has been a lot of progress lately.

In addition, market enthusiasm is fueled by the prospects of a new expanded package of financial support in the United States. According to analysts, the approval of a new stimulus package is almost around the corner. It is believed that everything is done to ensure that the total amount of the package is as large as possible.

The recent economic data also adds to positive sentiment in the market. The reports show better-than-expected results, and this is already a very good sign.

In particular, consumer prices in China fell in January, while analysts expected to see a rise amid the worsening epidemiological situation in the country. According to the National Bureau of Statistics China, the consumer price index lost 0.3% in January, while in December last year there was an increase of 0.2%. Most analysts argued that the indicator would at least remain at the same level, or would grow otherwise.

However, there is an opinion that the decline in consumer prices in China can be easily explained. The Lunar New Year in 2021 is celebrated in February, and this is the time when prices begin to rise. That is why prices stayed low in January, but are expected to rise in February. Therefore, it is too early to conclude that China's economy is on the way to recovery.

Producer Price Index in China grew by 0.3% in January, while in the previous period there was a decline of 0.4%. The actual data did not come in line with the preliminary forecasts that projected a rise by at least 0.4%. At the same time, it was a significate increase which has not been observed for the whole year.

Eventually, China's Shanghai Composite index added 1.08% in the morning session. The Hong Kong Hang Seng Index followed the trend and advanced by 1.62%.

Japan's Nikkei 225 is also gaining ground although posting a small gain of 0.07%. Notably, the index was staying in negative zone until this moment, and now it has managed to leave it.

South Korea's KOSPI Index increased by 0.78%. However, the economic data in the region is not so encouraging. Thus, the unemployment rate rose to 5.4% in the first month of 2021 from 4.6% reported earlier. This is the highest rate of unemployment in more than twenty years. The total number of unemployed citizens in the country grew by 262,000 and eventually reached 1.519 million. The number of employed people decreased by 298,000 and now stands at 26.485 million.

Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was able to gain 0.5%.