Asian equity markets closed mostly higher on Wednesday as Apple reported better-than-expected financial results and weak US personal income and manufacturing data helped investors pare back their expectations for rate increases this year. Japanese shares hit a 1-1/2-week high as solid quarterly results from domestic companies helped offset concerns over a rising yen. However, Chinese shares ended lower, with continued strength in materials shares offset by weakness in small-cap firms.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,285.06 | -7.58 | -0.23 |
Hang Seng | 27,607.38 | 67.15 | 0.24 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,824.25 | 19.04 | 0.33 |
KLSE Composite | 1,770.61 | 5.48 | 0.31 |
Nikkei 225 | 20,080.04 | 94.25 | 0.47 |
Straits Times | 3,348.80 | 10.60 | 0.32 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,427.63 | 4.67 | 0.19 |
Taiwan Weighted | 10,519.27 | 81.98 | 0.79 |