The Asian markets made a mixed closing on Wednesday and traders in the region remained concerned about the cash-strapped Greece which may default on its debt, with any positive solution looking remote since the Germans refused to release additional bailout funds without a credible reform plan from Greece. However, the Tokyo and Shanghai markets showed good upmove with Chinese stocks ending with gains of over 2 percent to a new seven-year peak. Japan’s Nikkei too rose 1 percent to a high not seen since April 2000, after country’s March trade data showed a surplus of Yen 229.3 billion, the first surplus in 33 months. Exports rose 8.5%, matching expectations and imports declined 14.5%, more than the 12.8% fall seen. Hong Kong shares also rose while South Korean, Australian, Malaysian and Indonesian stocks fell.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 4,398.49 | 104.8 | 2.44 |
Hang Seng | 27,933.85 | 83.36 | 0.30 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,437.12 | -23.45 | -0.43 |
KLSE Composite | 1,854.77 | -8.03 | -0.43 |
Nikkei 225 | 20,133.90 | 224.81 | 1.13 |
Straits Times | 3,490.72 | -17.89 | -0.35 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,143.89 | -0.90 | -0.04 |
Taiwan Weighted | 9,613.00 | 79.02 | 0.83 |