Asian markets ended mixed on Thursday due to inflation concerns and some US policymakers suggesting that they were ready to speed up the taper if inflation continues to stay high. Worries about fresh lockdowns in Europe outweighed raising optimism over strength in the world's top economy after a batch of strong economic data which included an upwards revision to third-quarter GDP. Seoul shares ended lower as the Bank of Korea raised its key interest rates for the second time since August to fight inflation and fast-rising household debt. Chinese shares declined marginally after Kaisa Group Holdings said it wants to extend the maturity of a $400 million bond by a year-and-a-half as part of efforts to avoid a default and resolve a liquidity crisis. Meanwhile, Japanese shares gained by tracking mostly positive cues from Wall Street overnight.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,584.18 | -8.52 | -0.24 |
Hang Seng | 24,740.16 | 54.66 | 0.22 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,699.35 | 16.07 | 0.24 |
KLSE Composite | 1,517.60 | -4.67 | 0.31 |
Nikkei 225 | 29,499.28 | 196.62 | 0.67 |
Straits Times | 3,221.52 | -5.63 | -0.17 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,980.27 | -14.02 | -0.47 |
Taiwan Weighted | 17,654.19 | 11.67 | 0.07 |
