Asian equity markets made a mixed closing on Thursday, with Chinese shares starting the month on a bearish note after a private business survey showed manufacturing activity unexpectedly contracted in May, fuelling worries that the economy may be cooling more rapidly than expected. The latest survey from Caixin revealed a manufacturing PMI score of 49.6, down from 50.3 in April and missing forecasts for a score of 50.1. Other regional manufacturing reports painted a mixed picture, with activity in Japan's manufacturing sector expanding at a faster rate in May and Australia's manufacturing sector expanding at a slower pace, while South Korea's manufacturing activity remained in contraction. Investors keenly awaited Friday's US non-farm payrolls numbers as a positive report could pave the way for a rate hike in mid-June. Traders also awaited US President Donald Trump's decision on whether the US will pull out of the historic Paris climate accord. Meanwhile, Japanese shares snapped a four-day losing streak, lifted by upbeat domestic data.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,102.62 | -14.55 | -0.47 |
Hang Seng | 25,809.22 | 148.57 | 0.58 |
Jakarta Composite | - | - | - |
KLSE Composite | 1,763.11 | -2.76 | -0.16 |
Nikkei 225 | 19,860.03 | 209.46 | 1.07 |
Straits Times | 3,235.96 | 25.14 | 0.78 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,344.61 | -2.77 | -0.12 |
Taiwan Weighted | 10,087.42 | 46.70 | 0.47 |