Asian equity markets ended mostly in green on Thursday after oil prices hit six-week high and the Bank of Japan kept its lavish monetary stimulus intact, as widely expected. The European Central Bank reviews its monetary policy later today, with investors looking for any hints that it could start to remove some of its extraordinary levels of support for the euro zone economy. Oil prices held steady after climbing nearly 2 percent overnight on data showing another big weekly decline in US crude oil and gasoline stockpiles, while gold edged lower ahead of ECB rate decision. Chinese shares ended higher on expectations of solid earnings from cyclical sectors such as mining and steel. Further, Japanese shares rose as the yen weakened following the BOJ’s decision to leave its monetary policy on hold. Investors’ sentiments were also buoyed by upbeat trade data pointing to sustained economic recovery. Japan's trade balance returned to surplus in June, though the net balance came in below expectations.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,244.87 | 13.89 | 0.43 |
Hang Seng | 26,740.21 | 68.05 | 0.26 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,825.21 | 18.52 | 0.32 |
KLSE Composite | 1,755.63 | -1.64 | -0.09 |
Nikkei 225 | 20,144.59 | 123.73 | 0.62 |
Straits Times | 3,293.13 | -31.94 | -0.96 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,441.84 | 11.90 | 0.49 |
Taiwan Weighted | 10,499.36 | -6.74 | -0.06 |