Asian markets settled mostly lower on Wednesday as strong services activity data released overnight reinforced expectations for a more aggressive pace of FOMC interest rate hikes. Japanese shares declined despite exporters' boost from weak yen. Chinese shares traded almost flat with positive momentum, even as trade data missed expectations that added to concerns over the health of the global economy. Data showed that China’s exports grew 7.1% in August from a year earlier, but missed forecast growth of 12.8%.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,246.29 | 2.84 | 0.09 |
Hang Seng | 19,044.30 | -158.43 | -0.83 |
Jakarta Composite | 7,186.76 | -46.40 | -0.64 |
KLSE Composite | 1,491.35 | 3.08 | 0.21 |
Nikkei 225 | 27,430.30 | -196.21 | -0.71 |
Straits Times | 3,210.83 | -13.35 | -0.41 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,376.46 | -33.56 | -1.39 |
Taiwan Weighted | 14,410.05 | -267.15 | -1.82 |
