Asian equity markets ended mixed on Thursday, as a steep fall in oil prices and tepid overnight cues from Wall Street instilled a sense of caution among traders ahead of the Bank of England's policy decision later in the day. Investors are pricing in an interest rate cut for the first time in more than seven years to curb economic fallout from Britain's vote to exit the European Union. However, Japanese shares rose for the fourth day as the yen dropped to the lower 105 range on expectations that policymakers will supplement monetary policy with fiscal stimulus. Hong Kong shares finished higher on hopes the Bank of England will cut rates to ward off a possible recession that could impact some Hong Kong companies. Meanwhile, Chinese shares eased a little bit, with metal and mining stocks pacing declines in response to disappointing trade data released on Wednesday. Reports showed that China’s June exports were better than expected, but imports fell sharply in the month.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,054.02 | -6.67 | -0.22 |
Hang Seng | 21,561.06 | 238.69 | 1.12 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,083.54 | -50.39 | -0.98 |
KLSE Composite | 1,654.78 | -5.61 | -0.34 |
Nikkei 225 | 16,385.89 | 154.46 | 0.95 |
Straits Times | 2,906.92 | -3.73 | -0.13 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,008.77 | 3.22 | 0.16 |
Taiwan Weighted | 8,866.36 | 8.61 | 0.10 |