Asian equity markets made a mixed closing on Tuesday after major US indexes hit fresh record highs overnight, buoyed by rising oil prices and optimism about the economic outlook and the possibility of major tax reform. The dollar edged up after Fed Chair Janet Yellen reiterated that additional gradual interest rate hikes are likely to be appropriate over the next few years. Oil prices remained elevated due to supply worries after Iraqi forces seized the oil-rich city of Kirkuk from Kurdish fighters. Japanese shares extended gains for an 11th straight day as the dollar held gains against the yen and euro and investors remained hopeful that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will win Sunday's Lower House election. Meanwhile, Chinese stocks ended on a flat note, heading into the National Congress of the Communist Party kicking off on Wednesday.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,372.04 | -6.43 | -0.19 |
Hang Seng | 28,697.49 | 4.69 | 0.02 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,947.33 | -2.37 | -0.04 |
KLSE Composite | 1,748.99 | -5.38 | -0.31 |
Nikkei 225 | 21,336.12 | 80.56 | 0.38 |
Straits Times | 3,329.03 | 5.97 | 0.18 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,484.37 | 4.32 | 0.17 |
Taiwan Weighted | 10,723.15 | -51.06 | -0.47 |