Asian equity markets ended mixed on Monday as US tax reform uncertainty and a political impasse in Germany dented investor risk appetite and helped spur demand for safe-haven assets. Japanese shares ended lower as the yen strengthened and data showed Japanese export growth weakened unexpectedly in October. Meanwhile, Chinese shares ended higher, aided by a rebound in banking shares even after Beijing set sweeping new guidelines to regulate asset management products. The central bank issued the guidelines on Friday to more strictly regulate asset management businesses, in the government’s latest effort to rein in the risky shadow banking sector which had been channeling money into Chinese stocks, bonds and property.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,392.40 | 9.49 | 0.28 |
Hang Seng | 29,260.31 | 61.27 | 0.21 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,053.28 | 1.55 | 0.03 |
KLSE Composite | 1,718.36 | -3.30 | -0.19 |
Nikkei 225 | 22,261.76 | -135.04 | -0.60 |
Straits Times | 3,386.59 | 4.21 | 0.12 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,527.67 | -6.32 | -0.25 |
Taiwan Weighted | 10,664.55 | -37.09 | -0.35 |