Asian markets closed mostly in red on Tuesday, with Hong Kong shares ending lower, in line with a broad sell-off across Asia and despite gains on Wall Street. Indonesia’s Stock Exchange was closed today on account of ‘Vesak Day’ holiday. Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda stated that it was important for currency rates to reflect economic fundamentals and move in a stable manner. Kuroda added that he had no comment on the current level of the yen or the speed of its recent depreciation. Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso refrained from commenting on renewed weakness in the yen, after issuing a warning last week about its slide. Japan’s Monetary Base rose to 35.6%, from 35.2% in the preceding month while Japan’s Average Cash Earnings rose to a seasonally adjusted 0.9%, from 0.0% in the preceding quarter whose figure was revised down from 0.1%. Hong Kong Retail Sales rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of -2.2%, from -2.9% in the preceding month. South Korean CPI rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 0.5%, from 0.4% in the preceding month. Thai CPI fell to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of -1.27%, from -1.04% in the preceding month.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 4,910.53 | 81.79 | 1.69 |
Hang Seng | 27,466.72 | -130.44 | -0.47 |
Jakarta Composite | - | - | - |
KLSE Composite | 1,741.37 | -2.04 | -0.12 |
Nikkei 225 | 20,543.19 | -26.68 | -0.13 |
Straits Times | 3,340.75 | -51.36 | -1.51 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,078.64 | -23.73 | -1.13 |
Taiwan Weighted | 9,614.26 | -11.43 | -0.12 |