Asian equity markets ended mostly lower on Monday as investors awaited a slew of data from China, Japan and Australia this week for directional cues. Concerns about political instability in the UK and Saudi Arabia also weighed on markets. The pound came under selling pressure after a report that 40 Conservative members of Parliament intend to sign a letter of no-confidence in British Prime Minister Theresa May. Japanese shares fell sharply to end near two-week low, with realty and technology stocks pacing the decliners after recent rallies. Meanwhile, Chinese shares ended higher, powered by banking firms, as investors cheered Beijing’s deregulation in the financial sector, mitigating wider concerns about higher corporate borrowing costs as bond yields rose.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,447.84 | 15.16 | 0.44 |
Hang Seng | 29,182.18 | 61.26 | 0.21 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,021.46 | -0.37 | -0.01 |
KLSE Composite | 1,737.49 | -4.79 | -0.27 |
Nikkei 225 | 22,380.99 | -300.43 | -1.32 |
Straits Times | 3,419.13 | -0.97 | -0.03 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,530.35 | -12.60 | -0.50 |
Taiwan Weighted | 10,683.92 | -48.75 | -0.45 |