Asian equity indices ended mostly in red on Thursday, with China’s stocks drop, sending the benchmark index to its biggest drop in a week, on growing concern that government efforts to shore up economic growth will be insufficient. Bank Indonesia, the country’s central bank, kept its benchmark interest rate at 7.5%, citing it as necessary in the effort to narrow the current account deficit. Indonesia’s central bank reported a larger than expected second quarter current account deficit, but kept its key policy rates unchanged and predicted improvement later this year. Bank Indonesia Governor stated that the benchmark rate - in place since November - is consistent with its 3.5% to 5.5% inflation target and with lowering the current account gap towards a healthier level. Japan’s Core Machinery Orders rose to 8.8%, from -19.5% in the preceding month. Korea’s benchmark interest rate fell in the last quarter. The Interest Rate Decision fell to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 2.25%, from 2.50% in the preceding quarter.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 2206.47 | -16.41 | -0.74 |
Hang Seng | 24801.36 | -88.98 | -0.36 |
Jakarta Composite | 5155.55 | -12.72 | -0.25 |
KLSE Composite | 1861.58 | 3.54 | 0.19 |
Nikkei 225 | 15314.57 | 100.94 | 0.66 |
Straits Times | 3294.83 | -6.58 | -0.20 |
KOSPI Composite | 2063.22 | 0.86 | 0.04 |
Taiwan Weighted | 9230.61 | -0.70 | -0.01 |