Asian markets settled mostly lower on Thursday ahead of the crucial monthly US Non-farm Payroll data due on Friday. Japanese shares closed down on concerns that the corona-virus delta variant will slow the economic recovery. Japan is expected to extend by two weeks or more coronavirus containment measures in the greater Tokyo area as infection numbers creep up less than a month before the Summer Olympics start. Further, Chinese shares ended lower amidst declines in industrial firms after data showing dip in Caixin China General Manufacturing PMI for June to 51.3, a three-month low from 52 in May. Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s stock market is closed for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,588.78 | -2.42 | -0.07 |
Hang Seng | - | - | - |
Jakarta Composite | 6,005.96 | 20.47 | 0.34 |
KLSE Composite | 1,534.23 | 1.60 | 0.10 |
Nikkei 225 | 28,707.04 | -84.49 | -0.29 |
Straits Times | 3,124.19 | -6.27 | -0.20 |
KOSPI Composite | 3,282.06 | -14.62 | -0.44 |
Taiwan Weighted | 17,713.94 | -41.52 | -0.23 |
