- Tokyo and Seoul stock markets are closed for New Year holidays; trading resumes later this week.
- U.S. markets fell, driven by declines in tech stocks and Boeing’s share drop after a jet crash.
- Indian stock markets remain open on January 1, 2025, with 14 holidays scheduled for the year.
Asian markets showed a mixed performance on the first trading day of 2025, with Tokyo and Seoul remaining closed for New Year holidays. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dropped 0.9%, while Hong Kong‘s Hang Seng saw a modest gain of 0.1%.
The Shanghai Composite fell 0.7% as Chinese manufacturing data revealed Beijing’s stimulus measures have yet to reinvigorate economic momentum.
Global Markets Face Mixed Trends; India’s Markets Start 2025 Strong
In India, stock markets dismissed the notion of a holiday and operated as usual on January 1, 2025. The NSE holiday calendar revealed 14 non-trading days for the year, spread across key national and religious events. This highlights India’s commitment to maintaining steady market activity, even as global peers take breaks for traditional celebrations.
In the U.S., stock markets ended 2024 on a down note. The S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq all posted declines, with tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, and Meta dragging the indices lower. Boeing’s stock saw a 2.3% dip after a tragic jet crash in South Korea, compounding its challenges.
Indian stock markets, however, opened the year without pause, sticking to regular trading hours on January 1, 2025. The calendar for the year includes 14 holidays, covering major events like Holi, Independence Day, and Diwali. This steady operational approach underlines the resilience of India’s financial system amid global uncertainties.
As inflation concerns persist globally, with the U.S. showing signs of rising prices, market watchers are keeping a close eye on central bank policies. The Federal Reserve’s cautious stance on further rate cuts may influence investor sentiment across global markets in the months to come.
The mixed market trends at the start of 2025 highlight the interplay between regional holiday schedules, economic indicators, and global financial pressures. As markets reopen and investors adapt to evolving conditions, the year promises to bring both challenges and opportunities.
“Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” – Henry David Thoreau.
