Asian markets ended mostly lower on Thursday as final breakthrough on Brexit deal failed to emerge ahead of European Union leaders’ two-day summit in Brussels starting today. Japanese shares ended down as investors awaited more clarity on US-China trade talks and Brexit negotiations. Meanwhile, Chinese shares ended on a flat note as investors gave muted reaction to the Hong Kong protests and reports suggesting that China would remove business restrictions on foreign banks, brokerages and fund management firms. Though, Hong Kong shares led gains after the city’s leader Carrie Lam announced on Wednesday measures to ease a housing shortage and calm anti-government protests.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 2,977.33 | -1.38 | -0.05 |
Hang Seng | 26,848.49 | 184.21 | 0.69 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,181.01 | 11.42 | 0.19 |
KLSE Composite | 1,574.50 | -0.40 | -0.03 |
Nikkei 225 | 22,451.86 | -21.06 | -0.09 |
Straits Times | 3,126.14 | -8.57 | -0.27 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,077.94 | -4.89 | -0.23 |
Taiwan Weighted | 11,186.88 | 24.05 | 0.22 |
