Asian markets rise on Wall Street gains, easing treasury yields

MG News September 4, 2026 (MLN): Asian markets opened mostly higher on Friday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street as easing U.S. Treasury yields boosted investor sentiment ahead of the release of the August employment report. South Korea led regional gains, with the Kospi jumping 1.32%, while the small-cap Kosdaq advanced 1.99%. Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 0.25%, whereas the broader Topix declined 0.46%. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.14%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index futures stood at 25,421, indicating a positive opening compared with its previous close of 25,213.31. Futures for Japan's Nikkei 225 were also higher, with Chicago and Osaka contracts last quoted at 64,665 and 64,660, respectively, against the previous close of 64,214.48. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 futures were last at 9,037, compared with Thursday's close of 9,020.1, according to CNBC. The positive regional tone followed a strong session on Wall Street, where all three major U.S. benchmarks advanced. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed more than 600 points, or 1.2%, marking its strongest session since August 4. The S&P 500 gained more than 1%, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 1.4%. U.S. stock futures were little changed in Thursday's evening trading, with Dow futures down 0.01%, S&P 500 futures lower by 0.03% and Nasdaq-100 futures declining 0.06%, as investors awaited the August jobs report. The retreat in Treasury yields provided support to equities after Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller indicated he would be inclined to support keeping the central bank's policy rate within the current 3.5%-3.75% target range at the September 15-16 meeting. Markets are now focused on Friday's U.S. employment data, which could influence expectations for the Federal Reserve's upcoming policy decisions. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones expect nonfarm payrolls to have increased by 53,000 in August, following a 23,000-job decline in July, while the unemployment rate is forecast at 4.1%. Investors are also preparing for next week's inflation readings, including the consumer price index and producer price index, which could provide further direction on the Fed's policy outlook. Wall Street's major indexes remain on track for weekly gains, with the S&P 500 poised for a 0.5% advance, the Nasdaq Composite heading for a 0.7% rise and the Dow Jones Industrial Average set for a 0.2% increase. Copyright Mettis Link News