Asian markets ended mostly higher on Wednesday, despite growing concerns about the omicron corona-virus variant with US Fed's faster tapering and early rate hike bets. US based drug maker Moderna’s CEO said that existing Covid-19 vaccines would be much less effective at combating omicron compared with previous variants of the virus. Meanwhile, slew of positive regional data helped market sentiment to finish higher. Japanese shares gained after data showing the country's factory activity grew in November at the fastest pace since 2018. The final au Jibun Bank Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) in November rose to 54.5 against prior month’s 53.2 and a 54.2 flash reading. Seoul shares rose after a survey showed the country's factory activity expanded further in November. Moreover. Chinese shares improved on economic optimism after Vice Premier Liu He pledged enhanced support for businesses and said he's fully confident about the Chinese economy’s outlook next year. However, a survey showed the manufacturing sector in China slipped into contraction territory in November.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,576.89 | 13.00 | 0.36 |
Hang Seng | 23,658.92 | 183.66 | 0.78 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,507.68 | -26.25 | -0.40 |
KLSE Composite | 1,496.93 | -17.05 | -1.13 |
Nikkei 225 | 27,935.62 | 113.86 | 0.41 |
Straits Times | 3,098.25 | 56.96 | 1.87 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,899.72 | 60.71 | 2.14 |
Taiwan Weighted | 17,585.99 | 158.23 | 0.91 |
