Asian equity markets ended mostly in green on Tuesday as crude oil prices advanced in Asian deals on speculation that OPEC members are likely to extend output cuts beyond June. Chinese stocks ended higher despite signs of tighter liquidity in the banking system. China's central bank should clarify its new short-term policy rate and the target rate level as soon as possible, a central bank working paper said, as authorities in the world's second-largest economy slowly shift to a tightening bias. Though, Japanese shares ended slightly lower due to selling pressure following a public holiday on Monday, as a weakening of the US dollar against the yen added to worries over protectionist moves under US President Donald Trump. The omission of the customary pledge to avoid protectionism from a statement by the Group of 20 major economies over the weekend underscored the challenges to free trade that have coincided with Trump’s vows to rewrite trade deals.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,261.61 | 10.80 | 0.33 |
Hang Seng | 24,593.12 | 91.13 | 0.37 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,543.09 | 9.10 | 0.16 |
KLSE Composite | 1,754.67 | 5.26 | 0.30 |
Nikkei 225 | 19,455.88 | -65.71 | -0.34 |
Straits Times | 3,158.57 | -7.13 | -0.23 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,178.38 | 21.37 | 0.99 |
Taiwan Weighted | 9,972.49 | 59.52 | 0.60 |