Asian markets ended mostly higher on Wednesday tracking positive cues from Wall Street overnight. While, fall in US bond yields also eased concerns about surging inflation, supporting market sentiments. However, Seoul shares declined as foreigners and institutions locked in profits. Chinese shares ended almost flat as investors reacted to mixed inflation data and signs of policy tightening. Consumer prices in China were down 0.2% year-on-year in February, which exceeded expectations for a decline of 0.4% and was up from -0.3% in the previous month. The producer prices were up an annual 1.7%, exceeding expectations for an increase of 1.5% and up sharply from 0.3% in January. Japanese shares ended with a flat note amid profit booking before the year-end selloff by funds.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,357.74 | -1.55 | -0.05 |
Hang Seng | 28,907.52 | 134.29 | 0.47 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,264.68 | 65.03 | 1.05 |
KLSE Composite | 1,639.83 | 15.05 | 0.93 |
Nikkei 225 | 29,036.56 | 8.62 | 0.03 |
Straits Times | 3,079.72 | -28.81 | -0.93 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,958.12 | -18.00 | -0.60 |
Taiwan Weighted | 15,911.67 | 58.58 | 0.37 |
