Asian equity markets ended in green on Wednesday after the major US averages hit fresh record closing highs overnight, buoyed by upbeat corporate earnings results and higher commodity prices. Investors remained focused on the minutes from the latest Fed and ECB meeting due today and tomorrow, respectively. Japanese shares ended higher, buoyed by gains in large-cap stocks such as SoftBank and Fanuc, and financial companies as global growth hopes lifted the mood across world markets. Further, Chinese shares ended higher, underpinned by robust gains in banking and energy shares, while those in the defensive consumer and healthcare sectors paused for a breath after recent gains. Meanwhile Hong Kong's Hang Seng index ended above 30,000 points for the first time in 10 years, amid signs Chinese investors are stepping up buying of Hong Kong stocks.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,430.46 | 19.97 | 0.59 |
Hang Seng | 30,003.49 | 185.42 | 0.62 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,069.79 | 37.92 | 0.63 |
KLSE Composite | 1,723.54 | 2.86 | 0.17 |
Nikkei 225 | 22,523.15 | 106.67 | 0.48 |
Straits Times | 3,430.02 | 6.64 | 0.19 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,540.51 | 9.81 | 0.39 |
Taiwan Weighted | 10,822.59 | 43.35 | 0.40 |