Today’s Outlook :
• US MARKET : Wall Street closed mixed on Wednesday, as weakness in financial and communication services stocks offset positive sentiment from the January nonfarm payrolls report, which came in well above expectations. The benchmark S&P 500 rose 0.1% to 6,947.32 after climbing as much as 0.7% earlier in the session. The NASDAQ Composite slipped 0.2% to 23,066.47, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down 0.1% to 50,121.40.
The labor data initially boosted equity futures ahead of the open, but momentum quickly faded and market moves remained relatively limited. Market participants pared back expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts following the data release, driving bond buying and pushing yields lower.
Market attention centered on the delayed release of January labor data. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nonfarm payrolls rose by 130,000 in January 2026, well above the consensus estimate of 66,000 and accelerating from 48,000 in December 2025. The unemployment rate fell to 4.3% from 4.4% the previous month.
According to CME FedWatch, the probability of the Fed holding rates steady in March increased to around 94% from about 80% a day earlier. The likelihood of rates being kept unchanged in April also rose to 80% from 58%.
• EUROPEAN MARKET : European stock markets closed mixed on Wednesday following the release of closely watched U.S. labor data. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index rose 0.1%, Germany’s DAX fell 0.4%, and France’s CAC 40 declined 0.2%. Meanwhile, the UK’s FTSE 100 gained 1.1%.
• ASIAN MARKET : Most Asian stock markets posted modest gains on Wednesday as investors assessed weak inflation data from China. Elsewhere, Japanese markets were closed for a national holiday, after the Nikkei 225 hit a record high on Tuesday amid optimism over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s election victory. South Korea’s KOSPI surged nearly 1%.
In China, consumer inflation in January rose more slowly than expected, while producer prices remained in deflation territory, underscoring continued pressure on domestic demand. The data reinforced concerns that weak pricing could continue to weigh on corporate profits, despite policy measures aimed at supporting growth. The benchmark CSI 300 Shanghai– Shenzhen index and the Shanghai Composite traded relatively flat, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index rose 0.3%.
• COMMODITIES – OIL: Oil prices climbed about 1% on Wednesday, driven by concerns over rising tensions between Iran and the U.S., which are preparing to resume negotiations, although gains were capped by a weekly report showing a significant build in U.S. crude inventories. Brent crude futures settled up 60 cents, or 0.87%, at USD 69.40 per barrel, while U.S. WTI gained 67 cents, or about 1.05%, to USD 64.63 per barrel. Prices were also supported by reports that the U.S. is preparing to deploy a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East amid escalating tensions with Iran. Market participants also monitored key U.S. economic data releases and travel demand prospects ahead of major holidays in China.
• COMMODITIES – PRECIOUS METALS : Gold prices rose on Wednesday as investors assessed the implications of the January U.S. employment report, which came in well above expectations. Safe-haven demand also increased amid U.S.–Iran tensions. As of 14:47 ET (19:47 GMT), spot gold rose 1.2% to USD 5,087.31 per ounce, while April gold futures climbed 1.6% to USD 5,111.66 per ounce. Spot silver jumped 4.5% to USD 84.41 per ounce, and spot platinum gained 2.2% to USD 2,146.90 per ounce.
• INDONESIA : The JCI closed higher by 1.96% at 8,290.97, with several conglomerate stocks rebounding. The impact of the FTSE announcement appears to have been largely priced in, as the IHSG did not form a new low. In addition, despite relatively volatile moves in precious metals commodities, the nickel sector remains worth monitoring in light of the 2026 RKAB policy. Investors are advised to remain cautious by consistently applying stop-loss and tight trailing stops amid ongoing volatility, even though a breakout above 8,300–8,400 would significantly increase the likelihood of the index continuing its uptrend structure.
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