Overview

• Asian stock markets fluctuated on Thursday, with Tokyo's Nikkei 225 rising 0.2% while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index dropped 0.4%.
• U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans for 25% tariffs on European Union imports, adding uncertainty to global trade relations.
• Nvidia reported a record $39.3 billion in fourth-quarter revenue, driven by demand for its AI-focused Blackwell chips, but investor enthusiasm was tempered by competition from Chinese AI startup DeepSeek.
• Analysts remain cautious about broader economic risks, including potential stagflation in the U.S. if aggressive trade policies are implemented.
• Chinese policymakers are preparing for a key economic meeting to set 2025 growth targets, with expectations of maintaining a 5% growth goal.