Asian equity markets ended mostly in red on Thursday after the dollar and US Treasury yields stumbled following US President Donald Trump's comments that the greenback is getting too strong and his administration will not label China a currency manipulator. Trump also said that he preferred the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates relatively low. Japanese shares ended lower amid a stronger yen as Trump's comments on the dollar and interest rates as well as tensions over US relations with Russia and North Korea spooked investors. However, Chinese shares ended marginally higher as positive trade data helped investors shrug off fears of policy tightening. Official data showed that China's export growth accelerated in March in a positive sign for global demand, while import growth moderated. Exports surged an annual 16.4 percent in March, much faster than the 4.3 percent rise expected. Imports grew 20.3 percent from a year earlier.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,275.96 | 2.13 | 0.07 |
Hang Seng | 24,261.66 | -51.84 | -0.21 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,616.55 | -27.61 | -0.49 |
KLSE Composite | 1,738.18 | -5.9 | -0.34 |
Nikkei 225 | 18,426.84 | -125.77 | -0.68 |
Straits Times | 3,169.24 | -16.77 | -0.53 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,148.61 | 19.70 | 0.93 |
Taiwan Weighted | 9,836.68 | 19.00 | 0.19 |