Asia stocks fall despite U.S.-China tariff pause

May 15, 2025 (MLN): Asia-Pacific equities mostly retreated Thursday, following gains in the previous session sparked by eased U.S.-China trade tensions.

Japan's Nikkei 225 dropped 0.90%, and the Topix index slipped 0.75%. In South Korea, the Kospi declined 0.29%, while the Kosdaq, focused on small-cap stocks, slid 0.37%.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index edged lower by 0.42%, and China’s CSI 300 dropped 0.6%. India’s Nifty 50 saw little change, opening the session flat, as CNBC reported.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was an outlier, gaining 0.21%.

Citi analysts noted that while the market has largely absorbed the macro stress from tariffs, uncertainty over fiscal policy and deteriorating U.S. economic data may drive further volatility.

In the U.S., stock futures dipped during overnight trading after the S&P 500 notched a third consecutive gain. The index added 0.10%, closing at 5,892.58, continuing a positive run that has turned its year-to-date performance positive.

The Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.72% to end at 19,146.81. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 89.37 points, or 0.21%, finishing the day at 42,051.06.

Earlier this week, Washington and Beijing agreed to a temporary halt in their escalating tariff conflict, contributing to recent market optimism.

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