Asian equity markets ended in red on Tuesday after Donald Trump fired Acting Attorney General Sally Yates Monday night, adding to concerns surrounding the unpredictability and protectionist trade stance of the new US President. Japanese shares ended lower as the yen strengthened against the dollar and euro and the Bank of Japan kept its policy settings unchanged at its first meeting of the year, underlining its nervousness about how Trump plans to implement his pro-growth policies. Meanwhile, the BOJ raised its gross domestic product (GDP) forecast to 1.4 percent for the current fiscal year ending March 31, from a previous prediction of 1.0 percent growth made in October. The BOJ said in its policy statement it expected inflation to rise to around its target of 2 percent by fiscal 2018. Financial markets in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan remained closed for the Lunar New Year holidays.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | - | - | - |
Hang Seng | - | - | - |
Jakarta Composite | 5,294.10 | -8.56 | -0.16 |
KLSE Composite | 1,671.54 | -14.82 | -0.88 |
Nikkei 225 | 19,041.34 | -327.51 | -1.69 |
Straits Times | 3,046.80 | -18.05 | -0.59 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,067.57 | -16.02 | -0.77 |
Taiwan Weighted | - | - | - |