Asian equity markets made a mixed closing on Thursday after US shares fell the most in seven weeks overnight in the wake of a string of disappointing earnings reports and rising bond yields. Investors also digested regional corporate earnings results and looked for direction from the European Central Bank policy meeting, due later in the day. Chinese shares ended higher after President Xi Jinping's vast ‘Belt and Road’ infrastructure project was included in the ruling Communist Party's constitution. Japanese shares eked out modest gains on earnings optimism and amid the prospect of further stimulus from the government.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,407.57 | 10.67 | 0.31 |
Hang Seng | 28,202.38 | -100.51 | -0.36 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,995.85 | -29.59 | -0.49 |
KLSE Composite | 1,736.80 | -2.25 | -0.13 |
Nikkei 225 | 21,739.78 | 32.16 | 0.15 |
Straits Times | 3,356.25 | 12.37 | 0.37 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,480.63 | -11.87 | -0.48 |
Taiwan Weighted | 10,734.76 | -15.81 | -0.15 |