Asian equity markets ended mostly lower on Monday as investors await key data from the US and China this week for clues on growth and rate outlook. Traders also kept an eye on oil price movements ahead of a major meeting among oil producers on November 30. Japanese shares ended modestly lower in choppy trade after a slightly stronger yen sapped investors’ risk appetite, sending stocks such as chip-related firms lower. Chinese stocks fell sharply on concerns over rising borrowing costs as Beijing stepped up a crackdown to fend off financial risks. Further, Hong Kong shares closed lower, as investors largely shrugged off data showing profits at China’s industrial firms continued to grow at a robust pace last month despite a slight cooling from a sizzling September.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,322.23 | -31.59 | -0.94 |
Hang Seng | 29,686.19 | -180.13 | -0.60 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,064.59 | -2.55 | -0.04 |
KLSE Composite | 1,719.86 | 2.63 | 0.15 |
Nikkei 225 | 22,495.99 | -54.86 | -0.24 |
Straits Times | 3,436.36 | -5.79 | -0.17 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,507.81 | -36.52 | -1.44 |
Taiwan Weighted | 10,750.93 | -103.16 | -0.95 |