Asian markets ended mostly lower on Thursday after the Federal Reserve signaled a higher bar to further policy easing. Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan kept its monetary policy unchanged and the Bank said that it would not hesitate to take additional easing measures if needed. Investors are waited to see whether China would lower its new lending reference rate on Friday following the Fed's rate cut and the easing by the European central bank. Seoul shares ended higher as Saudi Arabia's rapid recovery efforts helped ease concerns over oil supply and investors pinned hopes for progress in upcoming Sino-US trade talks.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 2,999.28 | 13.62 | 0.46 |
Hang Seng | 26,468.95 | -285.17 | -1.07 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,244.47 | -32.16 | -0.51 |
KLSE Composite | 1,596.28 | -3.21 | -0.20 |
Nikkei 225 | 22,044.45 | 83.74 | 0.38 |
Straits Times | 3,158.80 | -8.04 | -0.25 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,080.35 | 9.62 | 0.46 |
Taiwan Weighted | 10,894.70 | -34.75 | -0.32 |
