Asian equity markets ended mostly in red on Thursday as oil prices dipped after two days of gains and investors assessed the possible effects of a hard Brexit as the UK began the formal process of exiting the European Union. Chinese stocks led regional losses to extend the downtrend for a fourth day on concerns over tightening liquidity and stepped-up regulation in the property market. Further, Japanese shares ended sharply lower, dragged down by financials after US Treasury yields fell on reports that ECB officials are wary of altering their dovish message before June. The Japanese yen was flat after comments from Federal Reserve officials suggested that the Fed is on track to raise interest rates twice more this year.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,210.24 | -31.08 | -0.96 |
Hang Seng | 24,301.09 | -90.96 | -0.37 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,592.95 | 0.44 | 0.01 |
KLSE Composite | 1,749.25 | -1.16 | -0.07 |
Nikkei 225 | 19,063.22 | -154.26 | -0.80 |
Straits Times | 3,173.24 | -11.33 | -0.36 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,164.64 | -2.34 | -0.11 |
Taiwan Weighted | 9,848.15 | -8.10 | -0.08 |