Nikkei 225, Kospi, Hang Seng Index
The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Friday, December 19, 2025. Photographer: Akio Kon/Bloomberg via Getty Images
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Asia-Pacific markets rose on Friday, tracking Wall Street’s gains as geopolitical concerns eased and investors eagerly awaited the Bank of Japan’s decision.
The central bank is expected to keep interest rates at 0.75%, according to economists polled by Reuters.
Japan’s core inflation rate in December was 2.4% annually, in line with analysts’ forecasts.
Japan futures Nikkei 225 Compared to the previous close of 53,688.89, the contract in Chicago marked a stronger open for the market, with the contract in Chicago at 54,055 and the contract in Osaka at 54,040.
Investors in the region will also be turning their eyes to Asian chipmakers after shares of California-based Intel tumbled 13% in after-hours trading in the U.S. due to its soft guidance for the quarter, despite better fourth-quarter earnings reporting on Thursday.
Hong Kong Hang Seng index futures settled at 26,917, above the HSI’s last close of 26,629.96.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 index was flat in early trading.
