Asian markets ended mostly in red on Thursday, with China’s stocks rising for the seventh time in eight days, after the government approved more investment spending to bolster economic growth. The minutes released showed that Bank of Japan board discussed the prospect of weaker inflation related to a drop in global crude oil prices and consumer demand at its meeting in October. The deliberations came ahead of the surprise decision last week to further ease policy by increasing government bond purchases and other steps. Most members agreed that no substantial change in firms’ price-setting stance had been seen, despite the decline in demand after the April sales tax hike. Japan’s index of leading economic indicators rose to a seasonally adjusted 105.6, from 104.4 in the preceding month.
Consumer confidence in Thailand picked up in October after a drop in September on optimism about government stimulus measures and improved exports as the junta tries to get the economy back on track. A sharp decline in global oil prices was also seen lowering transport costs and giving consumers more to spend, but domestic demand is likely to be constrained by high household debt. The consumer confidence index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce increased to 80.1 in October from 79.2 in September, when it slipped for the first time since a coup on May 22 ended months of political unrest.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 2425.86 | 6.61 | 0.27 |
Hang Seng | 23,649.31 | -46.31 | -0.20 |
Jakarta Composite | 5034.23 | -32.60 | -0.64 |
KLSE Composite | 1831.98 | -7.31 | -0.40 |
Nikkei 225 | 16792.48 | -144.84 | -0.86 |
Straits Times | 3290.96 | 3.30 | 0.10 |
KOSPI Composite | 1936.48 | 5.05 | 0.26 |
Taiwan Weighted | 8891.02 | -71.58 | -0.80 |