Asian markets ended mostly in lower on Thursday as the United States Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's comments on inflation after the central bank decided to increase interest rates. The Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 25 basis points and hinted at another rate hike this year and a few more in 2019. Meanwhile, China stocks ended lower after data showed industrial profit growth in China continuing to slow in August and after the Federal Reserve lifted rates, while news of A-share inclusion in FTSE Russell indexes failed to boost sentiments. Japanese market closed down as investors opted withdrawing profit off the table following recent gains and as weak cues from Wall Street overnight.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 2,791.78 | -15.03 | -0.54 |
Hang Seng | 27,715.67 | -101.20 | -0.37 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,929.22 | 55.95 | 0.94 |
KLSE Composite | 1,798.64 | -0.08 | - |
Nikkei 225 | 23,796.74 | -237.05 | -1.00 |
Straits Times | 3,236.26 | -2.84 | -0.09 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,355.43 | 16.26 | 0.69 |
Taiwan Weighted | 11,034.19 | 60.00 | 0.54 |
