Asian equity markets ended mixed on Wednesday as news of US tariffs on washing machines and sonar panels sparked fears of a global trade war. Chinese shares hit fresh two-year highs on optimism about growth in 2018. Meanwhile, Japanese shares ended lower as the dollar dropped below the 110 yen threshold for the first time in four months, triggering selling in exporters. Weaker- than- expected Japanese trade data for December also dented sentiments.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,559.47 | 12.96 | 0.37 |
Hang Seng | 32,958.69 | 27.99 | 0.08 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,615.49 | -19.84 | -0.30 |
KLSE Composite | 1,837.04 | -1.00 | -0.05 |
Nikkei 225 | 23,940.78 | -183.37 | -0.76 |
Straits Times | 3,609.24 | 17.16 | 0.48 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,538.00 | 1.40 | 0.06 |
Taiwan Weighted | 11,152.16 | -100.95 | -0.90 |
