Markets mixed as traders assess crises in S.Korea, France
by AFP Staff Writers
Hong Kong (AFP) Dec 6, 2024

Asian markets were mixed Friday at the end of a volatile week, with South Korean stocks and the won still under pressure with the president's job hanging by a thread as he faces impeachment.

Traders were looking for a little stability after the past few days which saw Seoul plunged into crisis, France's government fall and bitcoin surge to a historic high above $100,000.

They are also gearing up for the release of US jobs data, while keeping tabs on Donald Trump as he puts together his cabinet, with signs so far suggesting he will take a hawkish tone on trade, fuelling worries about another standoff with China.

Shares in Seoul sank more than one percent and the won weakened to about 1,420 per dollar as lawmakers prepare to hold an impeachment vote Saturday after President Yoon Suk Yeol's dramatic, short-lived martial law on Tuesday night.

While analysts said the economic fallout from the crisis would likely be limited, the political storm is ongoing.

On Friday the head of Yoon's ruling People Power Party demanded he stand down over the incident, warning he posed a great danger to the country.

Han Dong-hoon's remarks -- virtually guaranteeing enough votes to impeach -- come just a day after he said he would block the impeachment, and another party leader insisted all 108 PP members would back the president.

"Considering the newly emerging facts, I believe that a swift suspension of President Yoon Suk Yeol's duties is necessary to safeguard the Republic of Korea and its people," Han said.

The losses in Seoul were in line with a sell-off across most of Asia, which came after all three main indexes on Wall Street retreated from record highs Thursday.

US investors were biding their time ahead of key US jobs data Friday that could play a role in the Federal Reserve's decision-making on whether or not to cut interest rate this month.

Tokyo, Sydney, Singapore, Wellington and Taipei fell but Manila, Mumbai, Bangkok and Jakarta rose.

Paris rose at the open, while Frankfurt and London were both flat.

Hong Kong and Shanghai rallied as investors grow hopeful hoping some fresh stimulus when top Chinese leaders including President Xi Jinping meet to discuss economic policy next week.

That gathering follows recent data that gave a glimmer of optimism that the painful growth slowdown that has wracked the country for almost two years could be coming to an end.

- Bitcoin surge abates -

Bitcoin was hovering around $98,100 in Asia, having blasted to the historic peak of $103,800 the day before, helped by news that Trump had picked crypto proponent Paul Atkins to take over as chair of the nation's markets regulator.

The tycoon, who often remarked on his election campaign that he would deregulate the crypto sector, welcomed the milestone.

"CONGRATULATIONS BITCOINERS!!! $100,000!!! YOU'RE WELCOME!!! Together, we will Make America Great Again!" said Trump, who in September launched his own crypto platform, on Truth Social.

Events in Paris are being closely watched after a historic no-confidence vote that ousted the government of French Prime Minister Michel Barnier, following a battle over a controversial budget.

President Emmanuel Macron vowed to name a new prime minister in the coming days to prevent France from sliding deeper into political turmoil, rejecting growing pressure from the opposition to resign.

However, there was some hope that the crisis could be settled after far-right leader Marine Le Pen -- a key opponent of Barnier -- said in a television interview that once a new premier was appointed, her party "would let them work" and did not call on Macron to resign.

- Key figures around 0810 GMT -

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.8 percent at 39,091.17 (close)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 1.6 percent at 19,865.85 (close)

Shanghai - Composite: UP 1.1 percent at 3,404.08 (close)

London - FTSE 100: FLAT at 8,346.25

Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0581 from $1.0591 on Thursday

Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2761 from $1.2760

Dollar/yen: DOWN at 150.00 yen from 150.09 yen

Euro/pound: DOWN at 82.91 from 82.97 pence

West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.3 percent at $68.11 per barrel

Brent North Sea Crude: DOWN 0.3 percent at $71.87 per barrel

New York - Dow: DOWN 0.6 percent at 44,765.71 (close)

dan/pdw

INDEX CORP.

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