Asian equity markets ended mostly in red on Tuesday, with geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and caution ahead of key risk events keeping investors nervous. The dollar hit a six-week low versus the yen and gold prices rose on safe-haven demand as investors looked ahead to the UK general election, the ECB meeting and former FBI Director James Comey's testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee - all scheduled for Thursday. Oil extended overnight losses as investors shifted their focus back on a supply glut and speculation mounted that a diplomatic rift among some of the most powerful states in the Arab world could hamper a global deal to reduce oil production. Japanese shares ended lower, with a stronger yen and weak overnight cues from Wall Street weighing on markets. South Korean markets were closed for Memorial Day. Though, Chinese shares bucked the regional trend to end a tad higher, with consumer and financial shares lending support as investors pondered the impact of new regulations on initial public offerings and ahead of a flurry of economic data.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,102.13 | 10.47 | 0.34 |
Hang Seng | 25,997.14 | 134.15 | 0.52 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,707.83 | -40.40 | -0.70 |
KLSE Composite | 1,791.01 | 3.06 | 0.17 |
Nikkei 225 | 19,979.90 | -190.92 | -0.95 |
Straits Times | 3,235.75 | -2.56 | -0.08 |
KOSPI Composite | - | - | - |
Taiwan Weighted | 10,206.18 | -20.66 | -0.20 |