Asia-Pacific Markets Trade Mixed as Trump Rattles Defense Firms and Oil Prices Slide

Asia-Pacific Markets Trade Mixed

Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed on Thursday, January 8, 2026, as the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average snapped a three-day winning streak.

Market Performance

The Nikkei 225 in Japan fell 0.5%, while the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong dropped 0.3%. The Kospi in South Korea, however, rose 0.2% after Samsung Electronics reported strong earnings.

Trump's Impact

The mixed market performance can be attributed to the uncertainty surrounding President Trump's defense spending plans. The president's announcement has caused concern among defense firms, leading to a decline in their stock prices.

Oil Prices

Oil prices also slid, with Brent crude falling 1.2% to $73.50 per barrel. The decline in oil prices has contributed to the mixed market performance.

Wall Street

On Wall Street, the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average snapped a three-day winning streak, falling 0.2% and 0.1%, respectively.

Conclusion

The mixed market performance in Asia-Pacific markets is a result of the uncertainty surrounding President Trump's defense spending plans and the decline in oil prices. As the market continues to trade, investors will be closely watching for any further developments.

Sources

[1] Asia-Pacific markets trade mixed as Trump rattles defense firms and oil prices slide