Global Stocks Higher On Trump’s Return, Fed policy

Bangkok: Shares recovered from early losses in Asia on Thursday after US stocks stormed to records as investors wagered on what Donald Trump’s return to the White House will mean for the economy and the world. Markets also were turning their attention to the Federal Reserve’s decision on interest rates, due later in the day. Japan’s Nikkei-225 was down 0.1 per cent at 39,458.86, while the Kospi in Seoul rebounded to pick up 0.5 per cent, to 2,576.30. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged 0.1 per cent higher to 8,204.80.

Chinese shares also climbed. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 0.9 per cent to 20,729.01. The Shanghai Composite index also was 0.9 per cent higher, at 3,413.47. Trump has promised to slap blanket 60 per cent tariffs on all Chinese imports, raising them still more if Beijing makes a move to invade the self-governing island of Taiwan.