Asian equity markets ended mixed on Thursday as regional gains were tempered by losses in mainland China and Japan before the holiday period. Energy and material stocks outperformed amid a rebound in oil prices and a rise on Wall Street overnight for the third day running. China's stock market posted its biggest one-day fall in two weeks, as investor interest in blue chips suddenly cooled after China Insurance Regulatory Commission tightened rules for insurers investing in listed firms. Japanese stocks ended lower after giving up earlier gains as the strong yen hurt overall sentiment while trading was subdued ahead of the Christmas holiday. The markets in Malaysia and Indonesia were closed in observance of the birth of Prophet Mohammad.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 3,612.49 | -23.60 | -0.65 |
| Hang Seng | 22,138.13 | 97.54 | 0.44 |
| Jakarta Composite | - | - | - |
| KLSE Composite | - | - | - |
| Nikkei 225 | 18,789.69 | -97.01 | -0.51 |
| Straits Times | 2,877.62 | 13.97 | 0.49 |
| KOSPI Composite | 1,990.65 | -8.57 | -0.43 |
| Taiwan Weighted | 8,324.36 | 8.66 | 0.10 |