The Asian markets closed in green on Monday, with Chinese stocks touching seven year high, as gains in the Real Estate Investments & Services, Oil Equipment Services & Distribution and Life Insurance sectors led shares higher. Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda’s optimism that he can meet a 2 percent inflation target is getting a reality check at the nation’s cash registers. A report showed gains in consumer prices excluding fresh food slowed for a seventh month in February to a one-year low. The cost of cereals, household durable goods and rents fell last month from a year ago. Japan’s bond market is also betting that Kuroda won’t be able to meet his inflation goal during the fiscal year starting April. Japan’s industrial production fell to a seasonally adjusted -3.4%, from 3.7% in the preceding month. Thai Industrial Production rose to a seasonally adjusted 3.55%, from -1.31% in the preceding month.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,786.57 | 95.47 | 2.59 |
Hang Seng | 24,855.12 | 368.92 | 1.51 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,438.66 | 41.80 | 0.77 |
KLSE Composite | 1,821.83 | 8.46 | 0.47 |
Nikkei 225 | 19,411.40 | 125.77 | 0.65 |
Straits Times | 3,454.26 | 4.16 | 0.12 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,030.04 | 10.24 | 0.51 |
Taiwan Weighted | 9,521.87 | 18.15 | 0.19 |