Asian equity markets ended mixed on Thursday despite overnight gains in the US and European markets. While a temporary extension of the US debt ceiling to December helped spur gains earlier in the session, markets succumbed to selling pressure at higher levels as the day progressed. The European Central Bank meets later today, with investors waiting to see whether ECB President Mario Draghi will signal measures towards winding down the bank's quantitative easing program at some point this autumn. China stocks fell as profit taking in resource shares following their recent rally and weakness in the banking sector offset strong gains in real estate companies. Meanwhile, Japanese shares rebounded from four-month intraday lows hit the previous day after the yen sold off overnight on news of extension of the US debt ceiling. South Korea shares ended higher on easing geopolitical tensions after US President Donald Trump said the use of military force against Pyongyang will not be his ‘first choice’.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,365.50 | -9.35 | -0.09 |
Hang Seng | 27,522.92 | -90.84 | -0.33 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,832.31 | 8.17 | 0.14 |
KLSE Composite | 1,782.98 | 10.5 | 0.59 |
Nikkei 225 | 19,396.52 | 38.55 | 0.2 |
Straits Times | 3,228.06 | -4.41 | -0.14 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,346.19 | 26.37 | 1.14 |
Taiwan Weighted | 10,538.51 | -9.35 | -0.09 |