Asian equity markets ended on a mixed note on Friday, as concerns that emerging markets will face capital outflows continued to haunt investors. With bond yields rising in developing economies and the dollar gaining ground on signs of economic progress amid expectations for higher inflation and interest rates in the US, the outlook for emerging market assets seems to be far more uncertain now. China stocks slid as energy and transport shares shed some recent gains, causing an end to the main indexes' five-week winning streak. Share prices of property developers slipped after National Bureau of Statistics data pointed to slowing growth in property prices in top Chinese cities. Meanwhile, Japanese shares ended higher as the yen continued to weaken, hitting a six-month low against the dollar, on the back of upbeat US data and hawkish comments from Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen. While dismissing speculation that she may resign due to criticism from President-elect Donald Trump, Yellen on Thursday stressed that future interest rate hikes will likely be gradual.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,192.86 | -15.60 | -0.49 |
Hang Seng | 22,344.21 | 81.33 | 0.37 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,170.11 | -22.91 | -0.44 |
KLSE Composite | 1,623.80 | -2.97 | -0.18 |
Nikkei 225 | 17,967.41 | 104.78 | 0.59 |
Straits Times | 2,838.65 | 25.17 | 0.89 |
KOSPI Composite | 1,974.58 | -5.97 | -0.30 |
Taiwan Weighted | 9,008.79 | 13.53 | 0.15 |