Asian equity markets ended mostly in green on Monday after global investors shrugged off the latest US government shutdown. Investors waited for progress in talks to end the US government shut down that began at midnight on Friday after the Senate failed to reach agreement over a short-term funding bill. Investors also kept an eye on political developments in Europe after Germany's Social Democrats voted to enter coalition talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel's government and French President Emmanuel Macron said it would be possible for Britain to secure a bespoke trade deal if the UK accepts certain ‘preconditions’. Chinese shares ended higher, helped by gains in defensive and technology stocks. Meanwhile, Japanese stocks closed little changed as safe-haven assets such as gold and yen edged higher following the US government shutdown.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,501.36 | 13.50 | 0.39 |
Hang Seng | 32,393.41 | 138.52 | 0.43 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,500.53 | 9.63 | 0.15 |
KLSE Composite | 1,833.15 | 4.32 | 0.24 |
Nikkei 225 | 23,816.33 | 8.27 | 0.03 |
Straits Times | 3,569.43 | 19.07 | 0.54 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,502.11 | -18.15 | -0.72 |
Taiwan Weighted | 11,231.46 | 80.61 | 0.72 |
