Asian markets ended lower on Wednesday, despite signs that the US Federal Reserve would continue its fiscal policy support. Meanwhile, persistent concerns over inflation and steep asset valuations adding some pressure on market sentiments. Japanese shares ended sharply down as technology stocks succumbed to profit taking following a decline in the Nasdaq Composite index overnight. Hong Kong shares ended lower after the city’s government announced it would increase the stamp duty on stock trading in the global financial hub for the first time since 1993. Moreover, Chinese shares also declined as US President Joe Biden showed readiness to meddle the Canadian citizens’ evacuation from Beijing.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,564.08 | -72.28 | -1.99 |
Hang Seng | 29,718.24 | -914.40 | -2.99 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,251.05 | -21.76 | -0.35 |
KLSE Composite | 1,557.55 | -7.50 | -0.48 |
Nikkei 225 | 29,671.70 | -484.33 | -1.61 |
Straits Times | 2,924.58 | 33.88 | 1.17 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,994.98 | -75.11 | -2.45 |
Taiwan Weighted | 16,212.53 | -230.87 | -1.40 |
