Asian markets ended on a mixed note on Monday as global growth worries offset hopes for policy support from China. US job growth almost halted in February and new bank loans in China fell sharply last month, adding to concerns over cooling global growth. Investors also awaited a crucial vote on UK Prime Minister Theresa May's revised Brexit deal on Tuesday for directional cues. Chinese shares ended higher after central bank governor Yi Gang said Beijing would not use the yuan exchange rate as a tool to boost exports or ease trade frictions. Meanwhile, Japanese shares bounced back from four days of losses as investors looked ahead to the Bank of Japan (BoJ) policy meeting on March 14-15.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,026.99 | 57.13 | 1.92 |
Hang Seng | 28,503.30 | 274.88 | 0.97 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,366.43 | -16.64 | -0.26 |
KLSE Composite | 1,664.63 | -15.27 | -0.91 |
Nikkei 225 | 21,125.09 | 99.53 | 0.47 |
Straits Times | 3,191.42 | -4.45 | -0.14 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,138.10 | 0.66 | 0.03 |
Taiwan Weighted | 10,250.28 | 8.53 | 0.08 |
