Asian equity markets ended mixed on Monday as investors digested mixed US jobs data for April and kept an eye on oil prices ahead of a key decision by the Trump administration to re-impose sanctions on Iran. Chinese shares ended higher amid optimism about robust April economic data despite lingering Sino-US trade tensions, as investors bid up tech shares after regulators detailed rules that pave the way for domestic flotation of overseas-listed technology giants. A flurry of Chinese data in the coming weeks is expected to show that the world’s second-largest economy remained strong in April, underpinned by a pickup in industrial output and a rebound in exports despite rising trade tensions with the United States. Meanwhile, Japanese shares ended on a flat note as falling US yields pulled down financials, offsetting investors’ optimism that the Bank of Japan will keep its purchases of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other risky assets. South Korean markets were closed in observance of Children's Day.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,136.65 | 45.61 | 1.48 |
Hang Seng | 29,994.26 | 67.76 | 0.23 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,885.10 | 92.75 | 1.60 |
KLSE Composite | 1,828.20 | -13.63 | -0.74 |
Nikkei 225 | 22,467.16 | -5.62 | -0.03 |
Straits Times | 3,532.86 | -12.52 | -0.35 |
KOSPI Composite | - | - | - |
Taiwan Weighted | 10,604.91 | 75.54 | 0.72 |
