Asian equity markets closed mostly lower on Thursday as investors locked in recent gains, awaiting fresh direction from the Bank of England's interest rate decision later in the day and the all-important US jobs report, due on Friday. Chinese shares lost ground as liquidity concerns persisted and a private survey showed growth in China's services sector slowed in July as new business growth eased. The Caixin China services PMI slipped to 51.5 from 51.6 in June. Further, Japanese shares ended lower as the yen's strength pulled down exporters and investors took profits in tech shares. Market participants also digested the latest news from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet reshuffle and disappointing data on service sector growth.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,272.93 | -12.13 | -0.37 |
Hang Seng | 27,531.01 | -76.37 | -0.28 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,780.58 | -43.67 | -0.75 |
KLSE Composite | 1,771.90 | 1.29 | 0.07 |
Nikkei 225 | 20,029.26 | -50.78 | -0.25 |
Straits Times | 3,342.92 | -5.88 | -0.18 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,386.85 | -40.78 | -1.68 |
Taiwan Weighted | 10,469.88 | -49.39 | -0.47 |