Major Southeast Asian and Asian stock markets generally fell today, with Singapore's Straits Times Index down 0.6% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index losing 1.1%. This was influenced by strong US jobs data fueling interest rate hike expectations and ongoing concerns about China's economic slowdown, creating a cautious regional trading environment.
KUALA LUMPUR, February 5, 2026 – Asian regional stock markets were generally under pressure today, with investor sentiment influenced by multiple external factors. Singapore's Straits Times Index (STI) fell 0.6% to close at 3,180 points, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index (HSI) dropped significantly by 1.1%, breaching the 15,800-point mark. The primary reasons were the latest strong US jobs data, which reignited market concerns that the Federal Reserve might maintain high interest rates for longer. Furthermore, persistent worries about China's economic slowdown continued to negatively impact regional markets, especially economies closely linked to China's trade. Japan's Nikkei 225 and South Korea's KOSPI also recorded slight declines. Analysts noted that with the Lunar New Year holidays approaching, many investors chose to take profits or remain on the sidelines, leading to relatively light trading volumes and exacerbating market volatility.
Share: