All the Asian markets ended lower on Thursday after the US Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged and signaled that rates are likely to remain at near-zero levels through 2023, raising concerns about the recovery in the world's largest economy. Japanese shares ended lower, despite the Bank of Japan maintained its massive monetary policy stimulus. In its monetary policy statement, the Bank of Japan noted that the economy has started to pick up but remained in a severe situation due to the impact of the corona virus pandemic at home and abroad. Meanwhile, South Korean shares extended losses to a second consecutive day due to profit booking.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,270.44 | -13.48 | -0.41 |
Hang Seng | 24,340 | -384.78 | -1.56 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,038.40 | -20.08 | -0.40 |
KLSE Composite | 1513.07 | -18.21 | -1.19 |
Nikkei 225 | 23,319.37 | -156.16 | -0.67 |
Straits Times | 2,500.78 | -4.37 | -0.17 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,406.17 | -29.75 | -1.22 |
Taiwan Weighted | 12,872.74 | -104.02 | -0.80 |
