Asian equity markets ended mostly in green on Monday as the Japanese yen weakened and US crude futures climbed back above $50 per barrel on expectations that major oil producing nations might extend their production cuts beyond an agreed-on June deadline when they meet on May 25. Investors shrugged off news that North Korea fired another ballistic missile on Sunday. Japanese shares ended higher in thin trading after official data showed the country's exports expanded for a fifth consecutive month in April, aided by higher shipments of semiconductors and steel. However, Chinese shares ended lower as worries over slowing economic growth and tighter regulations continued to haunt investors.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,075.68 | -14.95 | -0.48 |
Hang Seng | 25,391.34 | 216.47 | 0.86 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,749.45 | -42.44 | -0.73 |
KLSE Composite | 1,774.95 | 6.67 | 0.38 |
Nikkei 225 | 19,678.28 | 87.52 | 0.45 |
Straits Times | 3,213.57 | -3.35 | -0.10 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,304.03 | 15.55 | 0.68 |
Taiwan Weighted | 9,997.26 | 49.64 | 0.50 |