The Asian markets ended mostly in red on Thursday, after Wall Street continued to pull back from record highs ahead of Friday’s closely-watched US jobs data. China set the lowest economic growth target in more than 15 years and flagged increasing headwinds as leaders tackle the side effects of a generation-long expansion that spurred corruption, fueled debt and hurt the environment. The goal of about 7% -- down from last year’s aspiration of about 7.5% -- was given in Premier Li Keqiang’s work report at the annual meeting of the legislature in Beijing. Fiscal policy will remain proactive and monetary policy prudent, while the yuan exchange rate will be kept at a reasonable and balanced level. China cut its trade growth target for this year to around 6%, after it missed the goal in 2014 for the third consecutive year amid softened domestic and foreign demand. Philippines CPI rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 0.1%, from 0.4% in the preceding quarter.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,248.48 | -31.06 | -0.95 |
Hang Seng | 24,193.04 | -272.34 | -1.11 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,450.95 | 2.89 | 0.05 |
KLSE Composite | 1,806.09 | -19.45 | -1.07 |
Nikkei 225 | 18,751.84 | 48.24 | 0.26 |
Straits Times | 3,395.27 | -20.26 | -0.59 |
KOSPI Composite | 1,998.38 | 0.09 | - |
Taiwan Weighted | 9,595.09 | -26.64 | -0.28 |