Southeast Asian stock markets displayed mixed performance today, with Singapore and Hong Kong markets declining, while Malaysia and Thailand saw modest gains. This divergence was influenced by the latest US jobs data and persistent concerns over China's economic slowdown, creating a cautious trading environment.
On March 4, 2026, Southeast Asian regional stock markets presented a complex picture today. Singapore's Straits Times Index fell 0.7%, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index plunged a significant 1.5%, primarily dragged down by interest rate hike expectations sparked by strong US jobs data and persistent concerns over China's slow economic recovery. Meanwhile, Malaysia's KLCI and Thailand's SET indices saw modest gains of 0.35% and 0.2% respectively, demonstrating some resilience. Investors are weighing the latest data and policy directions from the world's two largest economies – the US and China. Analysts noted that regional markets would continue to be dominated by global macroeconomic narratives, especially the Federal Reserve's monetary policy path and the effectiveness of China's stimulus measures.
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