On December 5, 2024, Asia-Pacific markets opened mostly higher, buoyed by record highs on Wall Street, where all three major stock indexes reached new closing peaks.

The S&P 500 advanced by 0.61% to close at 6,086.49, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 1.3% to finish at 19,735.12, both achieving all-time highs.

In the U.S., the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 45,014.04, marking the first time it surpassed 45,000, with an increase of 308.51 points (0.69%).

Investors reacted positively to Fed Chair Jerome Powell's comments, which indicated that the strength of the U.S. economy allows for a cautious approach from the Federal Reserve.

The U.S. is anticipating the November unemployment report, set to be released on December 6, 2024, which may influence future Federal Reserve policy decisions.

As of December 4, 2024, the South Korean won appreciated slightly by 0.2% against the dollar, trading at 1,412.80 won, following the lifting of martial law.

Political instability in South Korea heightened as lawmakers filed for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, just a day after he declared martial law.

South Korea announced a financial support program worth 75.9 trillion won ($56.97 billion) on October 21, 2023, aimed at bolstering investment in key sectors and assisting small businesses affected by high interest rates.

South Korea's GDP for Q3 2024 expanded by 0.1% quarter-on-quarter and 1.5% year-on-year, consistent with earlier advanced estimates.

Despite an initial upward trend in the South Korean market, the Kospi index fell by 0.39% and the Kosdaq dropped by 0.69%.

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index futures indicated a decline, trading at 19,622, down from the previous close of 19,742.46.

In corporate news, Five Below's stock surged by approximately 11% in after-hours trading after exceeding revenue expectations, while Synopsys' stock fell more than 6% due to lower-than-expected earnings forecasts.

In the Asia-Pacific region, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index rose by 0.22%, while Japan's Nikkei 225 increased by 0.88% and the Topix rose by 0.27%.