Asian markets ended mostly lower on Thursday following concerns over regulatory crackdown in China, while increasing Covid-19 risks too pressurising market sentiments. China's State Council and Communist Party Central Committee jointly released a five-year blueprint detailing increased supervision of key areas such as national security, technology, and monopolies in the world's second largest economy. Hong Kong shares settled lower as weaker-than-expected lending data fuelled economic slowdown concerns. Moreover, Japanese shares declined on profit booking after recent gains. However, some losses were capped by easing concerns about any monetary tightening by the Federal Reserve after data showed a slowdown in US inflation growth.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,524.74 | -7.88 | -0.22 |
Hang Seng | 26,517.82 | -142.34 | -0.53 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,139.65 | 51.24 | 0.84 |
KLSE Composite | 1,501.97 | -2.47 | -0.16 |
Nikkei 225 | 28,015.02 | -55.49 | -0.20 |
Straits Times | 3,182.80 | 2.80 | 0.09 |
KOSPI Composite | 3,208.38 | -12.24 | -0.38 |
Taiwan Weighted | 17,219.94 | -7.24 | -0.04 |
