Asian equity markets ended mostly in green on Monday after Sunday's election results in France that came broadly in line with polls. Centrist Emmanuel Macron and far-right nationalist Marine Le Pen have won the first round of the French presidential election, triggering a runoff on May 7. Macron wants reforms to pep up France's economy and strengthen its position in Europe. On the other hand, Ms Le Pen intends to leave the euro and hold an in-out referendum on EU membership within six months of taking power. Japanese shares ended higher after the yen fell sharply against the dollar. Though, China stocks ended lower on Monday in their worst day this year amid signs that Beijing will tolerate further market volatility as regulators increasingly clamp down on shadow banking and speculative trading. Markets in Indonesia and Malaysia are closed for a holiday.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,129.53 | -43.62 | -1.37 |
Hang Seng | 24,139.48 | 97.46 | 0.41 |
Jakarta Composite | - | - | - |
KLSE Composite | - | - | - |
Nikkei 225 | 18,875.88 | 255.13 | 1.37 |
Straits Times | 3,144.03 | 4.20 | 0.13 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,173.74 | 8.70 | 0.40 |
Taiwan Weighted | 9,717.95 | 0.54 | 0.01 |