Asian equity markets made a mixed closing on Tuesday as the French election euphoria faded and a lack of fresh catalysts kept investors on the sidelines. Chinese shares ended flat in thin trading as concerns over tougher financial regulations lingered. The People's Bank of China refrained from injecting cash into markets via open market operations for the third day running, adding to concerns over policy tightening. Japanese stocks ended down as the market ran out of steam after rallying to a 17-month high on Monday, though it was supported by the yen languishing at a near two-month low against the dollar. Meanwhile, financial markets in South Korea were closed amid the much-anticipated presidential election, with Moon Jae-in, a liberal candidate of the Democratic Party, appearing to be the front-runner.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,080.53 | 1.91 | 0.06 |
Hang Seng | 24,889.03 | 311.12 | 1.27 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,697.06 | -10.81 | -0.19 |
KLSE Composite | 1,766.56 | -1.59 | -0.09 |
Nikkei 225 | 19,843.00 | -52.70 | -0.26 |
Straits Times | 3,249.97 | 12.99 | 0.40 |
KOSPI Composite | - | - | - |
Taiwan Weighted | 9,915.48 | -21.77 | -0.22 |