Asian markets settled mostly lower on Wednesday following Wall Street's overnight sell-off on concerns about surging inflation and higher interest rates by the US Federal Reserve. Traders are expecting the US Fed to deliver a half-point interest rate hike in March. Japanese shares hit a five-month low, pressured by rising US Treasury yields. Sony Group and Toyota Motors shares are, meanwhile, leading losses in Japan. Chinese shares ended lower, dragged down by profit booking in electric vehicle makers and healthcare firms.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,558.18 | -11.73 | -0.33 |
Hang Seng | 24,127.85 | 15.07 | 0.06 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,591.98 | -22.08 | -0.33 |
KLSE Composite | 1,530.33 | -12.59 | -0.82 |
Nikkei 225 | 27,467.23 | -790.02 | -2.80 |
Straits Times | 3,283.94 | 3.90 | 0.12 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,842.28 | -21.96 | -0.77 |
Taiwan Weighted | 18,227.46 | -151.18 | -0.82 |
