Asian equity markets ended mostly lower on Wednesday ahead of a rates decision from the US Federal Reserve and as Dutch voters head to the polls. Investors were focused on what the Federal Reserve will say about tightening monetary policy during the rest of the year with markets already pricing in an immediate rise in US interest rates. Japanese shares ended lower as the yen continued to strengthen against the dollar. Though, Chinese shares ended marginally higher after Premier Li Keqiang's news conference at the end of the annual meeting of China's parliament offered few surprises. A rebound in oil prices in Asian trading also helped to limit overall losses to some extent.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,241.76 | 2.43 | 0.08 |
Hang Seng | 23,792.85 | -35.10 | -0.15 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,432.38 | 0.80 | 0.01 |
KLSE Composite | 1,717.36 | -5.11 | -0.30 |
Nikkei 225 | 19,577.38 | -32.12 | -0.16 |
Straits Times | 3,135.29 | -8.11 | -0.26 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,133.00 | -0.78 | -0.04 |
Taiwan Weighted | 9,740.31 | -3.90 | -0.04 |