The Asian markets ended mostly in red on Thursday as investors cautiously awaited US jobs data, due Friday, for clues on the timing of a possible interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve. A recent report from payroll processor ADP, showed that private US employers continued to hire at a solid clip in August, adding 177,000 workers, raised expectations for strong nonfarm-payroll numbers. Chinese shares ended a tad lower, dragged down by financials and property developers as better-than-expected manufacturing data reinforced growing views among investors that China's central bank will be in no hurry to inject further stimulus. However, Japanese shares hit a three-month closing high, as the dollar/yen paid held above 103 and latest survey data signaled an increase in Japanese manufacturing output for the first time in six months.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,063.31 | -22.19 | -0.72 |
Hang Seng | 23,162.34 | 185.46 | 0.81 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,334.55 | -51.54 | -0.96 |
KLSE Composite | 1,670.55 | -7.51 | -0.45 |
Nikkei 225 | 16,926.84 | 39.44 | 0.23 |
Straits Times | 2,816.47 | -4.12 | -0.15 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,032.72 | -1.93 | -0.09 |
Taiwan Weighted | 9,001.15 | -67.70 | -0.75 |