Asian markets settled lower on Thursday, tracking weakness in Wall Street overnight as data showed US inflation in April rose more than expected to 8.3 percent, which raised expectations for aggressive policy tightening and fuelled concerns over a possible recession. Chinese shares declined slightly amid tightening Covid rules and extended lockdowns, while Chinese developer Sunac China Holdings failed to meet its final deadline for coupon payments on a $742 million offshore bond. Moreover, Hong Kong shares dropped following the arrests of several prominent democracy advocates, including a retired Roman Catholic cardinal.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,054.99 | -3.71 | -0.12 |
Hang Seng | 19,380.34 | -444.23 | -2.24 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,599.84 | -216.36 | -3.17 |
KLSE Composite | 1,538.80 | -17.13 | -1.10 |
Nikkei 225 | 25,748.72 | -464.92 | -1.77 |
Straits Times | 3,165.18 | -60.89 | -1.89 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,550.08 | -42.19 | -1.63 |
Taiwan Weighted | 15,616.68 | -389.57 | -2.43 |
