Asian equity markets ended mostly in red on Thursday, although the downside remained limited amid a rebound in oil prices in Asian deals and a market holiday in Japan. While US election worries persisted, the greenback came under selling pressure after the Federal Reserve policy announcement. The Fed on Wednesday held rates steady, as widely expected, but left the door open to a December rate hike amid signs of an improving economy. Hong Kong stocks closed at a 2-1/2-month low as worries over the tightening US presidential election race. However, Chinese shares ended higher after a private gauge showed activity in China's service sector expanded at a faster pace in October. The Caixin China services PMI rose to a four-month high of 52.4 on the back of growing new orders.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,128.94 | 26.20 | 0.84 |
Hang Seng | 22,683.51 | -126.99 | -0.56 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,329.50 | -75.95 | -1.41 |
KLSE Composite | 1,648.08 | -11.52 | -0.69 |
Nikkei 225 | - | - | - |
Straits Times | 2,802.08 | -5.06 | -0.18 |
KOSPI Composite | 1,983.80 | 4.86 | 0.25 |
Taiwan Weighted | 9,067.27 | -71.77 | -0.79 |