Asia-Pacific markets poised to trade lower; Bank of Korea policy decision in focus

Asia-Pacific markets were poised to trade lower Thursday as investors await the Bank of Korea policy decision.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 was on course to open lower, with the futures contract in Chicago at 42,470 while its counterpart in Osaka last traded at 42,450, against the index’s last close of 42,520.27

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was also set to start the day lower, with futures tied to the benchmark at 8,938, compared with the index’s last close of 8,960.5.

Futures for Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index stood at 24,997, pointing to a lower open compared to the HSI’s last close of 25,201.76.

Attention will turn to India’s markets once they reopen following Wednesday’s holiday closure. Secondary U.S. tariffs of 25% on Indian shipments kicked in Wednesday, pushing overall duties on the country’s exports to 50%.