Asian equity markets showed a mixed closing on Tuesday, as oil prices fell and the US dollar weakened ahead of a key meeting of US Federal Reserve officials and other central bankers later this week. Investors are looking for signals on whether the Fed sees enough economic momentum to support raising interest rates in September or the coming months. Any decisions made will likely impact the US dollar and dictate its strength against regional Asian currencies. Japanese shares fell for the first time in three days as the yen firmed up and the latest survey from Nikkei revealed that activity levels across Japan's manufacturing sector continued to decline in August. Meanwhile, China stocks ended higher as transportation and raw material shares were firm on the back of Beijing's plan to revive its struggling northeast rustbelt, offsetting falls in real estate stocks.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,089.71 | 4.90 | 0.16 |
Hang Seng | 22,998.93 | 1.02 | -- |
Jakarta Composite | 5,417.14 | -10.03 | -0.18 |
KLSE Composite | 1,683.07 | -8.00 | -0.47 |
Nikkei 225 | 16,497.36 | -100.83 | -0.61 |
Straits Times | 2,850.43 | 9.24 | 0.33 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,049.93 | 7.77 | 0.38 |
Taiwan Weighted | 9,030.93 | 49.12 | 0.55 |