Asian equity markets ended on a mixed note on Wednesday, as oil prices climbed on hopes for a last-minute OPEC deal and investors speculated that higher US interest rates can boost bank profits. Japanese shares ended higher as a weaker yen lifted exporters' shares and surging Japanese yields prompted investors to buy bank stocks. Market expectations that US President-elect Donald Trump's administration will increase spending and accelerate inflation, leading to higher interest rates, helped the dollar climb to a five-month peak against the yen overnight. Meanwhile, Chinese shares ended largely flat, with heavyweight resource stocks pegged back by fears that sharp falls in Chinese commodities futures markets could prompt regulators to tighten curbs to dampen volatility.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,205.06 | -1.93 | -0.06 |
Hang Seng | 22,280.53 | -43.38 | -0.19 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,185.46 | 106.96 | 2.11 |
KLSE Composite | 1,627.63 | -2.93 | -0.18 |
Nikkei 225 | 17,862.21 | 194.06 | 1.10 |
Straits Times | 2,793.99 | -3.56 | -0.13 |
KOSPI Composite | 1,979.65 | 12.12 | 0.62 |
Taiwan Weighted | 8,962.22 | 31.19 | 0.35 |