Asian markets ended mixed on Wednesday as investors welcomed dovish comments on monetary policy from the US Federal Reserve and eagerly looked forward to the second summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Vietnam later in the day. Chinese shares ended higher after Fed Chair Powell reiterated the US central bank would stay patient on monetary policy in the face of a slowing economy. Further, Japanese shares ended higher as gains in the defensive sector offset profit taking in China-related stocks. Meanwhile, Taiwan shares was marginally lower after a government report showed Taiwan's industrial production fell for a second straight month in January.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 2,953.82 | 12.30 | 0.42 |
Hang Seng | 28,757.44 | -14.62 | -0.05 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,525.68 | -15.27 | -0.23 |
KLSE Composite | 1,713.45 | -5.55 | -0.32 |
Nikkei 225 | 21,556.51 | 107.12 | 0.50 |
Straits Times | 3,250.02 | -11.64 | -0.36 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,234.79 | 8.19 | 0.37 |
Taiwan Weighted | 10,389.17 | -2.38 | -0.02 |
