The Asian equity benchmarks ended mostly in green on Tuesday, as investors awaited the outcome of central-bank policy meetings in Japan and Europe. Japan’s inflation rate is expected to slow in the next fiscal year, which could probably force the Bank of Japan to launch more stimulus later in the year. Japan, which has been grappling with either outright deflation or very low inflation for decades, is facing an even greater challenge than some other economies given the 60 percent plunge in oil prices over the past six months. China’s economy grew at its slowest pace in 24 years in 2014 as property prices cooled and companies and local governments struggled under heavy debt burdens, keeping pressure on Beijing to take aggressive steps to avoid a sharper downturn. Chinese GDP remained unchanged at an annual rate of 7.3% while Chinese Industrial Production rose to 7.9%, from 7.2% in the preceding month. Chinese Retail Sales rose to an annual rate of 11.9%, from 11.7% in the preceding month. Chinese Fixed Asset Investment fell to a seasonally adjusted 15.7%, from 15.8% in the preceding month.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,173.05 | 56.70 | 1.82 |
Hang Seng | 23,951.16 | 212.67 | 0.90 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,166.09 | 14.00 | 0.27 |
KLSE Composite | 1,750.11 | -3.20 | -0.18 |
Nikkei 225 | 17,366.30 | 352.01 | 2.07 |
Straits Times | 3,334.02 | 26.32 | 0.80 |
KOSPI Composite | 1,918.31 | 15.69 | 0.82 |
Taiwan Weighted | 9,251.69 | 77.63 | 0.85 |