Asian equity markets ended mostly higher on Thursday as US President Donald Trump and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker agreeing to work towards eliminating trade barriers on industrial goods. The US and the EU have agreed to work for zero tariffs, zero non-tariff barriers, and zero subsidies on non-auto goods. They also agreed to increase trade in services and agriculture, including greater US soybean exports to the EU. Though, Chinese shares ended lower as months of see-sawing US-Sino trade friction stoked uncertainties over the country’s economic growth, prompting investors to take a cautious stance. Japanese shares ended slightly lower as the yen gained ground on speculation the Bank of Japan could scale back its stimulus program next week.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 2,882.94 | -20.71 | -0.72 |
Hang Seng | 28,781.14 | -139.76 | -0.49 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,946.14 | 12.25 | 0.21 |
KLSE Composite | 1,766.23 | 2.45 | 0.14 |
Nikkei 225 | 22,586.87 | -27.38 | -0.12 |
Straits Times | 3,328.60 | 1.77 | 0.05 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,289.06 | 16.03 | 0.70 |
Taiwan Weighted | 11,010.61 | 44.82 | 0.41 |
