Asian equity markets made a mixed closing on Wednesday, with Japanese shares ending lower as rising geopolitical tensions curbed risk appetite, with exporters badly hit as the safe-haven yen spiked to a five-month high. The dollar fell under 110 yen for the first time in five months and gold prices hit five-month highs after North Korean state media warned of a nuclear attack on the United States at any sign of American aggression. US President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter that he explained to China last week that a trade deal with the US will be far better for them if they solve the North Korean problem. Meanwhile, a rise in oil prices on reports that Saudi Arabia wants output cuts extended for another six months, supported market sentiment. Chinese stocks ended lower, as softer producer inflation data raised questions on the sustainability of the country's economic recovery and some shares that had rallied on plans for a new economic zone lost steam. China's producer price inflation cooled for the first time in seven months in March as iron ore and coal prices tumbled, pressured by fears that the country's steel production is outweighing demand and threatening a glut of the metal this year.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,273.83 | -15.14 | -0.46 |
Hang Seng | 24,313.50 | 225.04 | 0.93 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,644.15 | 16.22 | 0.29 |
KLSE Composite | 1,744.08 | 8.24 | 0.47 |
Nikkei 225 | 18,552.61 | -195.26 | -1.04 |
Straits Times | 3,186.01 | 11.26 | 0.35 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,128.91 | 5.06 | 0.24 |
Taiwan Weighted | 9,817.68 | -14.74 | -0.15 |