Asian equity markets ended mostly in red on Thursday, with a sharp overnight fall in crude oil prices, the Federal Reserve's relatively hawkish tone and a widening probe into Russia's role in the US election weighing on markets. The Federal Reserve raised its key interest rate by 25 basis points, as widely expected despite the recent weakness of core inflation. Japanese shares fell slightly in choppy trade as the yen's strength pressured exporters and an overnight drop in US Treasury yields dragged down financial stocks. The dollar dropped to an eight-week low against the yen after a Washington Post report said that the special counsel overseeing the federal investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election is looking into whether US President Donald Trump tried to obstruct justice. However, Chinese shares closed marginally higher after the International Monetary Fund on Wednesday raised China's growth projections but called for deep reforms to transition its economy to more sustainable growth.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,132.49 | 1.81 | 0.06 |
Hang Seng | 25,565.34 | -310.56 | -1.20 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,776.28 | -16.61 | -0.29 |
KLSE Composite | 1,790.01 | -2.34 | -0.13 |
Nikkei 225 | 19,831.82 | -51.70 | -0.26 |
Straits Times | 3,232.09 | -21.34 | -0.66 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,361.65 | -10.99 | -0.46 |
Taiwan Weighted | 10,088.35 | 15.89 | 0.16 |