The Asian markets ended higher on Monday, on hopes of BOJ easing, positive home price data from China and rallying oil prices helped investors shrug off news related to possible terrorist attacks in the United States. The US Federal Open Market Committee's two-day policy meeting ends on Wednesday, with investors likely to focus on the accompanying statement for clues about the future path for interest rates. The Bank of Japan will also wrap up its two-day policy meeting on Wednesday amid speculation it will probably cut the rate on some bank reserves further below zero. Chinese shares ended higher as investors returning from a long holiday drew optimism from surveys showing improving business confidence. An official survey showed that Average new home prices in China's 70 major cities hit a six-month high in August defying government's efforts to rein in soaring home values and deter speculative purchases. Further, Hong Kong shares rose sharply, with property stocks pacing gainers on expectations of continuous money flows from China into Hong Kong stock markets. Japanese markets were closed for a public holiday.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,026.05 | 23.20 | 0.77 |
Hang Seng | 23,550.45 | 214.86 | 0.92 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,321.84 | 54.07 | 1.03 |
KLSE Composite | 1,651.71 | -1.28 | -0.08 |
Nikkei 225 | - | - | - |
Straits Times | 2,852.14 | 24.69 | 0.87 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,015.78 | 16.42 | 0.82 |
Taiwan Weighted | 9,152.88 | 250.58 | 2.81 |