Asian equity markets ended mostly in red on Monday after leaders of the G7 group of rich nations failed to make progress on narrowing differences on climate change and North Korea fired another missile off its east coast, the latest in a fast-paced series of missile tests defying world pressure and threats of more sanctions. Investor sentiment was also dampened after opinion polls published since the Manchester attack showed British Prime Minister Theresa May's lead over the opposition Labour Party has narrowed ahead of a June 8 election. Trading volumes remained thin across the region amid holidays in China, Britain and the United States. Japanese shares ended flat in choppy trade as investors waited for key US economic indicators out this week, including employment data, to provide clues on how soon US interest rates might rise. Meanwhile, Hong Kong stocks ended up, on which China markets were closed, with mainland property shares aiding the rise on anticipation of strong home demand in smaller Chinese cities.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | - | - | - |
Hang Seng | 25,701.63 | 62.36 | 0.24 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,712.33 | -4.48 | -0.08 |
KLSE Composite | 1,764.89 | -7.41 | -0.42 |
Nikkei 225 | 19,682.57 | -4.27 | -0.02 |
Straits Times | 3,214.55 | -4.87 | -0.15 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,352.97 | -2.33 | -0.10 |
Taiwan Weighted | - | - | - |