Asian equity markets ended lower on Wednesday as commodities declined on concerns over slowing growth in China and uncertainty prevailed over the fate of a US tax reform bill. Japanese shares ended lower as the yen surged broadly and economic data on industrial output and GDP painted a mixed picture of the economy. While Japan's industrial output declined less than initially estimated in September, GDP grew 0.3 percent sequentially in the third quarter of 2017, shy of expectations for a 0.4 percent gain and down from 0.6 percent in the second quarter, separate reports showed. Further, Chinese shares extended their losses, hurt by resources shares amid signs of a slowdown in industrial production as the nation’s economy enters a period of moderating growth.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,402.52 | -27.02 | -0.79 |
Hang Seng | 28,851.69 | -300.43 | -1.03 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,972.31 | -15.98 | -0.27 |
KLSE Composite | 1,722.99 | -10.62 | -0.61 |
Nikkei 225 | 22,028.32 | -351.69 | -1.57 |
Straits Times | 3,368.70 | -30.39 | -0.89 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,518.25 | -8.39 | -0.33 |
Taiwan Weighted | 10,630.65 | -56.53 | -0.53 |