Asian markets finished mostly lower on Thursday, with the hefty profit booking after previous session gains amid optimism earnings results and signs of economic recovery. Shanghai shares retreated with the worries over liquidity tension ahead of the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday. Short-term funding cost in China started to pick up last week as the central bank refrained from making its usual substantial liquidity injections to meet high demand for cash ahead of the week-long Lunar New Year holidays, which starts on February 11 this year. While, Japan’s Nikkei reported first loss after three straight session gains.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,501.86 | -15.45 | -0.44 |
Hang Seng | 29,113.50 | -193.96 | -0.66 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,107.22 | 29.47 | 0.48 |
KLSE Composite | 1,584.90 | 1.91 | 0.12 |
Nikkei 225 | 28,341.95 | -304.55 | -1.06 |
Straits Times | 2,905.58 | -21.89 | -0.75 |
KOSPI Composite | 3,087.55 | 42.13 | 1.35 |
Taiwan Weighted | 15,706.22 | 65.10 | -0.41 |