Asian markets end mostly lower amid ECB loan skepticism

22 Dec 2011 Evaluate

Asian stock markets ended mostly lower on Thursday amid expectations that the European Central Bank’s massive lending to euro-zone banks will not solve the region’s debt crisis. The performance in Asia followed a flat finish for the Dow Jones Industrial Average on Wednesday, after an ECB bank-lending program garnered higher-than-expected demand. The ECB loaned 489 billion euro to 523 banks for three years.

Chinese key share market closed down 0.2 percent after hitting its lowest level since March 2009, as investors worried liquidity will tighten at the year-end following fundraising by large corporates. However, the index bounced back from a decline of as much as 1.9 percent, led by the energy sector, especially green energy-related shares due to the government's support for environmental protection. Moreover, Seoul shares inched down as market cheer from the ECB’s release of cheap liquidity was met with doubt over how much would flow to euro zone countries.

Asian Indices

Last Trade

Change in Points

Change in %

Shanghai Composite

2,186.30

-4.85

-0.22

Hang Seng

18,378.23

-38.22

-0.21

Jakarta Composite

3,795.44

1.18

0.03

Nikkei 225

8,395.16

-64.82

-0.77

Straits Times

2,664.80

-8.52

-0.32

Seoul Composite

1,847.49

-0.92

-0.05

Taiwan Weighted

6,966.35

-0.13

0.00

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