Asian markets ended mostly lower on Wednesday ahead of the US Federal Reserve's monetary policy outcome due later in the day, where the US Central Bank is expected to approve plans for scaling back its current $120-billion in monthly bond purchases. Chinese shares declined as market sentiment was dampened by spiking new locally transmitted Covid-19 cases in the country, which lifting the prospect of fresh curbs in Beijing. Moreover, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang warned of downward pressure in the world’s second-top economy. Meanwhile, investors are digested the latest economic data from China where activity in services sector expanded in October. The Japanese stock market was closed in observance of Culture Day.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,498.54 | -7.09 | -0.20 |
Hang Seng | 25,024.75 | -74.92 | -0.30 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,552.13 | 58.85 | 0.91 |
KLSE Composite | 1,531.33 | -6.30 | -0.41 |
Nikkei 225 | -- | -- | -- |
Straits Times | 3,220.48 | -11.89 | -0.37 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,975.71 | -37.78 | -1.25 |
Taiwan Weighted | 17,122.16 | 56.19 | 0.33 |
