Most Asian market ended lower on Thursday as positive Chinese manufacturing data was dominated by lower than expected results from Apple Inc. Meanwhile, China's HSBC flash purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose to 51.9 in January to a two-year high, indicating a bounce in manufacturing activity and recovery in the world's second largest economy. Shanghai Composite closed in negative territory after surrendering early gains, after North Korea said it would carry out a nuclear test that will target the United States, dramatically stepping up its threats against a country. China's positive data helped Japan's Nikkei to end higher, as firms with high exposure to the Chinese economy snatched gains.
Stock markets in Indonesia and Malaysia remained close for the trade today.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 2,302.60 | -18.31 | -0.79 |
Hang Seng | 23,598.90 | -36.20 | -0.15 |
Jakarta Composite | - | - | - |
KLSE Composite | - | - | - |
Nikkei 225 | 10,620.87 | 133.88 | 1.28 |
Straits Times | 3,248.39 | 17.16 | 0.53 |
KOSPI Composite | 1,964.48 | -15.93 | -0.80 |
Taiwan Weighted | 7,695.99 | -48.19 | -0.62 |
