Asian equity markets ended mixed on Wednesday following positive overnight cues from Wall Street and Europe. Investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of the US Federal Reserve's monetary policy decision due later in the day, with many expecting no change in interest rates. That said, the accompanying statement may offer the details of how the central bank plans to start shrinking its $4.5 trillion balance sheet. Chinese stocks ended higher amid optimism that Beijing will maintain stability in financial markets ahead of next month's key party congress meeting. Japanese shares closed on a flat note as investors digested upbeat exports data and the yen went into a consolidation mode ahead of the Bank of Japan's (BoJ) monetary policy meeting, scheduled Thursday.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,366.00 | 9.15 | 0.27 |
Hang Seng | 28,127.80 | 76.39 | 0.27 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,906.57 | 5.25 | 0.09 |
KLSE Composite | 1,773.58 | -3.08 | -0.17 |
Nikkei 225 | 20,310.46 | 11.08 | 0.05 |
Straits Times | 3,218.07 | -7.88 | -0.24 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,412.20 | -3.85 | -0.16 |
Taiwan Weighted | 10,519.17 | -56.97 | -0.54 |