Asian markets ended mixed on Friday due to fresh uncertainty surrounding the Sino-US trade deal. Investors were worried by a report saying Chinese officials are unwilling to budge on the thorniest issues and have cast doubts about reaching a comprehensive long-term trade agreement. Japanese shares ended lower after survey data from IHS Markit showed that Japan's manufacturing sector moved deeper into contraction in October largely due to a sharp fall in new orders. At 48.4, the reading reached its lowest level in nearly three-and-a-half years. Meanwhile, Chinese shares ended higher on the back of upbeat data from IHS Markit showing that China's manufacturing sector expanded at the fastest pace since early 2017 in October. The manufacturing PMI rose to 51.7 from 51.4 in September, signaling an improvement in operating conditions for three months running.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 2,958.20 | 29.14 | 0.99 |
Hang Seng | 27,100.76 | 194.04 | 0.72 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,207.19 | -21.13 | -0.34 |
KLSE Composite | 1,593.34 | -4.64 | -0.29 |
Nikkei 225 | 22,850.77 | -76.27 | -0.33 |
Straits Times | 3,229.43 | -0.45 | -0.01 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,100.20 | 16.72 | 0.80 |
Taiwan Weighted | 11,399.53 | 40.82 | 0.36 |
