Asian equity markets ended mostly in red on Monday, led by the biggest loss in a month for Chinese shares as industrial profits declined and a looming revamp of the nation's initial public offering system gave investors little reason for optimism. Data showed that profits earned by Chinese industrial companies in November fell 1.4 percent from a year earlier, marking a sixth consecutive month of decline, although the figures improved from October's 4.6 per cent fall. Hong Kong stocks too moved lower, driven by a slump in mainland shares on the first trading day after last week's Christmas holiday. However, Japanese stocks gained ground in subdued trading after a rebound in global crude oil prices helped offset disappointing November production and retail figures.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,533.78 | -94.13 | -2.59 |
Hang Seng | 21,919.62 | -218.51 | -0.99 |
Jakarta Composite | 4,557.35 | 34.70 | 0.77 |
KLSE Composite | 1,670.73 | 7.22 | 0.43 |
Nikkei 225 | 18,873.35 | 104.29 | 0.56 |
Straits Times | 2,875.32 | -2.30 | -0.08 |
KOSPI Composite | 1,964.06 | -26.59 | -1.34 |
Taiwan Weighted | 8,358.49 | -4.79 | -0.06 |