Asian equity markets ended mostly higher on Tuesday amid growing expectations among traders that the Federal Reserve could raise interest rates at its March policy meeting next week. Also, US factory orders rose 1.2 percent month-on-month and durable goods orders climbed 2 percent, both beating the market consensus. Chinese shares ended higher, aided by renewed interest in technology shares in late trading after a listless morning session. Investors piled up tech shares for the second day following Premier Li Keqiang's Work Report on Sunday that identified innovation as a key part of China's economic restructuring. Though, Japanese shares ended lower with rising geopolitical tensions, French election uncertainty and overnight losses in the European banking sector.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,242.41 | 8.54 | 0.26 |
Hang Seng | 23,681.07 | 84.79 | 0.36 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,402.62 | -7.20 | -0.13 |
KLSE Composite | 1,728.66 | 1.30 | 0.08 |
Nikkei 225 | 19,344.15 | -34.99 | -0.18 |
Straits Times | 3,130.44 | 8.93 | 0.29 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,094.05 | 12.69 | 0.61 |
Taiwan Weighted | 9,738.07 | 55.44 | 0.57 |