Most of the Asian markets ended lower on Friday as the risk aversion protruded in the market followed by US warning on an imminent Russian attack on Ukraine. Albeit, Russia accused the West of stoking tensions. However, the selling pressure somehow eased after US secretary of state Antony Blinken agreed to meet with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov next week, raising hopes for a diplomatic solution to the ongoing standoff. Japan’s Nikkei ended lower amid bets of roll back of pandemic-driven stimulus after the country posted slowest inflation rate in January and on receding concerns over geo-political concerns in Ukraine. Though, China’s Shanghai finished higher on anticipations of more monetary stimulus in property sector. Chinese Finance ministry’s affirmation on corporate tax rates trimming, stemming targeted fiscal spending, and tightened fiscal discipline this year as part of efforts to stabilise the macro economy, also boosted the investments in the equity market.
Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,490.76 | 22.72 | 0.66 |
Hang Seng | 24,327.71 | -465.06 | -1.88 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,892.82 | 57.70 | 0.84 |
KLSE Composite | 1,603.05 | -1.97 | -0.12 |
Nikkei 225 | 27,122.07 | -110.80 | -0.41 |
Straits Times | 3,428.90 | -12.67 | -0.37 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,744.52 | 0.43 | 0.02 |
Taiwan Weighted | 18,232.35 | -36.22 | -0.20 |
