Asian markets ended mostly higher on Wednesday as upbeat Chinese economic data helped ease worries about a global economic slowdown. Chinese shares gained after data showed China’s economic growth, industrial production and retail sales all better-than-expected. China's GDP grew an annual 6.4 percent in the first quarter of 2019 - unchanged from Q4 and beating forecasts for 6.3 percent. Retail sales climbed 8.7 percent year-on-year in March - beating expectations for an increase of 8.4 percent and up from 8.2 percent in February. Fixed asset investment rose 6.3 percent, in line with expectations and up from 6.1 percent in the previous month. Further, Japanese shares ended higher as the yen held flat against the dollar. Meanwhile, Indonesian markets were closed today for the election.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,263.12 | 9.52 | 0.29 |
Hang Seng | 30,124.68 | -5.19 | -0.02 |
Jakarta Composite | - | - | - |
KLSE Composite | 1,620.90 | -8.56 | -0.53 |
Nikkei 225 | 22,277.97 | 56.31 | 0.25 |
Straits Times | 3,348.64 | 16.60 | 0.50 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,245.89 | -2.74 | -0.12 |
Taiwan Weighted | 10,997.26 | 69.41 | 0.64 |
