South Korea’s Kospi leads declines as Asia-Pacific markets open lower
Asia-Pacific markets traded broadly lower early Tuesday, breaking ranks with Wall Street that saw the Dow hit a new high overnight.
South Korea’s Kospi dropped 1.71% at open, while the small-cap Kosdaq declined 0.72%.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 was marginally lower, though the Topix added 0.27%.
Australia’s benchmark S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.12%.
Futures for Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index last traded at 23,571, lower than the index’s close of 23,616.32.
— Justina Lee
Japan’s Nikkei 225 is set to rise at open after Wall Street rally
Asia-Pacific markets were set to open mixed Tuesday, after Wall Street rallied overnight with the Dow jumping 150 points for its first close above 53,000.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 was poised to gain, with the Chicago futures contract at 70,350 and its Osaka counterpart last trading at 70,300, compared with the index’s previous close of 69,737.69.
Hong Kong Hang Seng index futures were last at 23,571, lower than the index’s close of 23,616.32.
Futures for Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 last traded at 8,813, while the index closed at 8,831.
Tensions in the Middle East have eased, but friction between NATO members is now in focus as President Donald Trump piles on pressure over defense spending.
The U.S. ambassador to the alliance told CNBC on Monday that “the target is that Europe takes over the conventional defense of the European continent.”
“We’re not going away, we’re just doing less,” Ambassador Matthew Whitaker said about U.S. involvement in European security and defense, ahead of this week’s NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.
—Justina Lee
SpaceX slips ahead of Nasdaq-100 inclusion
SpaceX shares slid around 1% in extended trading on Monday ahead of the stock’s entrance into the Nasdaq-100.
The rocket company will join the concentrated index on Tuesday. It’s expected to catalyze a spate of passive buying from mutual and exchange-traded funds that track the index.
CNBC Pro subscribers can click here to read more about what it means for investors.
— Alex Harring
Trump says Walmart will lower prices
An employee stocks ground beef into a display case at a Walmart Supercenter retail store in North Bergen, New Jersey, U.S., Nov. 21, 2025.
Mike Segar | Reuters
Walmart shares ticked lower after the bell on Monday after President Donald Trump claimed that the retailer would cut price tags.
“I have just been informed that one of the biggest, best, and smartest Retailers in America, Walmart, will be lowering prices, by a lot, at my Administration’s request to celebrate our great Country’s 250th birthday,” Trump wrote on Truth Social in an afternoon post.
Trump said that Walmart would specifically lower ground beef prices “by almost 15%.” Other products would also see price decreases, he said.
“Walmart is stepping up in a big and bold way, and other Retailers should follow the lead of these absolute Patriots,” Trump wrote.
Walmart shares slipped about 1% in Monday’s session, marking its seventh losing day of the last eight. Shares are slightly below flat on the year.
— Alex Harring
Vertex shares fall after news the company will buy Crinetics
Shares of Vertex Pharmaceuticals dropped more than 2% following news that the company will be buying Crinetics.
Vertex said it has entered an agreement to acquire Crinetics for $85 per share in cash, valuing the deal at about $10 billion.
The acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.
Shares of Crinetics nearly doubled in extended trading.
—Darla Mercado
Stock futures are little changed
Futures tied to the Dow, S&P 500 and Nadaq-100 all traded near flat shortly after 6 p.m. ET.
— Alex Harring