Asian markets ended mostly higher on Wednesday after US manufacturing data showed a stronger-than-expected pickup in activity, which signals a continued rebound in the world’s largest economy. While unfinished work piled up in the US because of shortages of raw materials and labour. Investors will be eyeing US jobs data due Friday for clues to the Fed's plans for policy in the coming weeks and months. Japanese shares rose with economic reopening hopes. However, Chinese shares ended lower as healthcare firms dropped a day after the sector was lifted by China’s recent three-child policy.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,597.14 | -27.57 | -0.76 |
Hang Seng | 29,297.62 | -170.38 | -0.58 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,031.58 | 84.12 | 1.41 |
KLSE Composite | 1,597.94 | 12.04 | 0.76 |
Nikkei 225 | 28,946.14 | 131.80 | 0.46 |
Straits Times | 3,161.04 | -26.19 | -0.82 |
KOSPI Composite | 3,224.23 | 2.36 | 0.07 |
Taiwan Weighted | 17,165.04 | 2.66 | 0.02 |