Asian equity markets made a mixed closing on Wednesday as a stronger yen and a fall in oil prices ahead of weekly US industry inventory estimates later in the day offset better-than-expected manufacturing data from China. Japanese shares ended lower as the dollar hit two-week lows against the yen after mixed US data released overnight and new poll results showing that UK Conservatives could fall short of overall majority in next month's national election. Meanwhile, Chinese shares ended higher after data showed activity in China's manufacturing sector grew faster than expected in May. China's manufacturing sector continued to expand in May and at a steady pace, with a manufacturing PMI score of 51.2. That's unchanged from the April reading and surpassed expectations for 51.0. The non-manufacturing PMI came in with a score of 54.5 up from 54.0 in the previous month.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,117.18 | 7.12 | 0.23 |
Hang Seng | 25,660.65 | -40.98 | -0.16 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,738.16 | 44.77 | 0.79 |
KLSE Composite | 1,765.87 | 0.53 | 0.03 |
Nikkei 225 | 19,650.57 | -27.28 | -0.14 |
Straits Times | 3,210.82 | 6.03 | 0.19 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,347.38 | 3.70 | 0.16 |
Taiwan Weighted | 10,040.72 | -61.23 | -0.61 |