Investing.com - Asian-Pacific share markets opened on a low note following an end to the Dow Jones Industrial Average's recent winning streak. Investors are now awaiting fresh inflation data, which could influence the future of US interest rates.
By 10:30 am AEST (12:30 am GMT) the S&P/ASX 200 lost 0.2%, the KOSPI 200 was flat and the Nikkei 225 added 0.7%.
In the US, the Dow Jones Industrial Average snapped its longest winning streak of the year, slipping 0.2%, while the S&P 500 closed flat and the NASDAQ Composite added 0.3%.
GameStop Corp (NYSE:GME) shares soared 74% on Monday, their most significant percentage increase since February 2021. This was prompted by the return of Keith Gill, also known as "Roaring Kitty", a key figure in the 2021 meme-stock rally. Other meme stocks also saw a boost. AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc (NYSE:AMC) shares jumped 78%, Hertz Global Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:HTZ) rose 12%, and Plug Power Inc (NASDAQ:PLUG) gained 13%.
In the commodities market, Brent crude oil increased by 0.8% to US$83.43 a barrel, while gold rose by 0.1% to US$2,337.52. In local bond markets, Australian 2-year and 10 Year government bond yields remained steady, while US Treasury notes saw a decrease.
Chinese shares closed lower as investors processed inflation data that revealed an increase in consumer prices and a continued fall in factory-gate prices. Lithium and energy stocks experienced the most significant losses, while Mango Excellent Media saw a substantial rise following the return of its flagship "Singer" program.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 0.8% to 19,115.06, while Japan's Nikkei Stock Average edged down 0.1% to close at 38179.46.
In Europe, the U.K.'s FTSE 100 Index declined by 0.2% to 8414.99. The STOXX Europe 600 Index remained steady, while Germany's DAX and France's CAC 40 slipped by 0.2% and 0.1% respectively.