Asian equity markets showed a mixed performance on Wednesday, with traders eyeing moves in oil prices ahead of a flurry of Chinese data later in the week. Chinese shares ended lower as investors awaited industrial output, fixed asset investment and retail sales data due Friday. Japanese shares fell as the dollar weakened against the yen and investors moved to the sidelines ahead of a public holiday in Japan on Thursday. Investor reaction to better-than-expected core machinery orders data was muted. Reports showed that Core machine orders surged 8.3 percent in June from the previous month after falling for two straight months. Meanwhile, Hong Kong stocks touched a fresh eight-month high on Wednesday, before slipping back, as yield-hungry investors continued to hunt for bargains.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,018.75 | -6.93 | -0.23 |
Hang Seng | 22,492.43 | 26.82 | 0.12 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,423.95 | -16.34 | -0.30 |
KLSE Composite | 1,673.03 | 1.32 | 0.08 |
Nikkei 225 | 16,735.12 | -29.85 | -0.18 |
Straits Times | 2,875.57 | 4.79 | 0.17 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,044.64 | 0.86 | 0.04 |
Taiwan Weighted | 9,200.42 | 45.34 | 0.50 |