Asian equity markets ended mostly in green on Monday as investors awaited the outcome of US Federal Reserve's monetary policy meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday for more clues on interest rate hikes this year. Oil prices were slightly higher in Asian deals ahead of the joint OPEC and non-OPEC ministerial meeting later in the day to discuss the issue of rising output in Nigeria and Libya. Chinese shares ended higher after the International Monetary Fund kept its growth forecasts for the world economy unchanged for this year and next, but slightly revised up growth expectations for the eurozone and China. Meanwhile, Hong Kong shares ended higher on expectations that China will increase fiscal spending to boost GDP growth in the second half. However, Japanese shares hit over two-week lows as a strong yen dragged on exporters and financials also lost ground after the Bank of Japan reduced its purchases of 5-10 year bonds at its regular operation.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,250.60 | 12.62 | 0.39 |
Hang Seng | 26,846.83 | 140.74 | 0.53 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,801.59 | 36.16 | 0.63 |
KLSE Composite | 1,761.99 | 2.83 | 0.16 |
Nikkei 225 | 19,975.67 | -124.08 | -0.62 |
Straits Times | 3,310.80 | -3.32 | -0.10 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,451.53 | 1.47 | 0.06 |
Taiwan Weighted | 10,461.28 | 24.58 | 0.24 |