Asian equity markets ended mostly in red on Tuesday, as a sell-off in oil futures, the uncertainty surrounding the US election and expectations of a December Fed rate hike offset fresh signs of strength in the world's second-largest economy. Chinese stocks ended higher after an official survey showed the country's manufacturing sector expanded at a faster pace than expected in October. The official Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), a measure of manufacturing activity, stood at 51.2 in October, the fastest pace in over two years, compared with the previous month's 50.4 and above the 50-point mark that separates growth from contraction. Separately, the Caixin manufacturing PMI for China came in at 51.2 in October, up from 50.1 in September. Japanese shares edged higher in choppy trade after the Bank of Japan held policy steady, as expected, while disappointing earnings forecasts from some bellwether companies capped gains.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,122.44 | 21.94 | 0.71 |
Hang Seng | 23,147.07 | 212.53 | 0.93 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,416.01 | -6.54 | -0.12 |
KLSE Composite | 1,670.93 | -1.53 | -0.09 |
Nikkei 225 | 17,442.40 | 17.38 | 0.10 |
Straits Times | 2,813.69 | -0.18 | -0.01 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,007.39 | -0.80 | -0.04 |
Taiwan Weighted | 9,272.70 | -17.42 | -0.19 |