Asian markets settled mostly down on Wednesday, tracking mostly lower closes in Wall Street benchmarks overnight after the IMF's warning of a severe global recession and the instability in the UK bond market. Geopolitical concerns of escalating conflict between Russia and Ukraine also weighed on market sentiments. Meanwhile, investors were awaiting US inflation data and the FOMC meeting minutes, that could influence the Federal Reserve's monetary policy stance. Japanese shares ended flat as a survey showed business confidence among big manufacturers fell for a second straight month to hit its lowest level in five months. Although, Chinese shares rose after data showed new bank lending in China nearly doubled in September from the previous month.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,025.51 | 45.72 | 1.53 |
Hang Seng | 16,701.03 | -131.33 | -0.78 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,909.21 | -29.94 | -0.43 |
KLSE Composite | 1,380.57 | -6.25 | -0.45 |
Nikkei 225 | 26,396.83 | -4.42 | -0.02 |
Straits Times | 3,083.19 | -21.81 | -0.70 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,202.47 | 10.40 | 0.47 |
Taiwan Weighted | 13,081.24 | -24.79 | -0.19 |
