U.S. Stocks Drift Higher Amid Tariff Uncertainty Before Losing Momentum on Economic Concerns and Weak Hiring; Asia-Pacific Markets Mixed

U.S. stock markets experienced modest gains early in the week as investors awaited further details on President Donald Trump's tariffs and their impact on the economy. However, the rally lost momentum midweek following the release of potentially discouraging economic data from the United States, leading to a more cautious market sentiment. This slowdown in Wall Street's advance was reflected in mixed performances across Asia-Pacific markets, with indices such as the ASX 200 rising slightly by 0.1%, the Nikkei 225 declining by 0.4%, and the KOSPI increasing by 0.7%. Weak private sector hiring figures in the U.S. contributed to dampened investor confidence globally, resulting in a more subdued trading environment.