Asian equity markets showed a mixed closing on Monday, as oil prices pulled back after surging dramatically in the last two weeks, with hawkish comments from another Federal Reserve official revived talk of a US rate hike as soon as September. Fed Chair Janet Yellen will speak at a meeting of global policy makers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming later this week, with investors looking for further clarity on the pace of future rate increases. Chinese shares fell as the yuan hit a two-week low against the dollar on global dollar strength. Meanwhile, Japanese shares eked out modest gains on a weaker yen after BOJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said there is ‘sufficient chance’ the central bank will add to its unprecedented easing at next month's policy meeting.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,084.81 | -23.30 | -0.75 |
Hang Seng | 22,997.91 | 60.69 | 0.26 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,427.17 | 11.14 | 0.21 |
KLSE Composite | 1,691.07 | 3.39 | 0.20 |
Nikkei 225 | 16,598.19 | 52.37 | 0.32 |
Straits Times | 2,841.19 | -2.83 | -0.10 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,042.16 | -14.08 | -0.68 |
Taiwan Weighted | 8,981.81 | -52.46 | -0.58 |