Asian markets ended mostly higher on Thursday with bets that the US Federal Reserve might ease off plans for interest rate hikes, while investors focus is now on third-quarter US GDP data due later in the day for more cues on the path of US monetary policy. Seoul shares gained after data showed the country's third quarter GDP rose 0.3 percent from the prior quarter backed mostly by consumer spending and investment in facilities. Although, Chinese shares slipped after data showed profits at China's industrial firms fell at a faster clip in the January - September period, while widening Covid-19 outbreaks also weighed on sentiment. Japanese shares declined amid reports of intervention by the government and the BoJ in currency markets.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 2,982.90 | -16.60 | -0.55 |
Hang Seng | 15,427.94 | 110.27 | 0.72 |
Jakarta Composite | 7,091.76 | 47.82 | 0.68 |
KLSE Composite | 1,454.09 | -0.89 | -0.06 |
Nikkei 225 | 27,345.24 | -86.60 | -0.32 |
Straits Times | 3,015.24 | 6.86 | 0.23 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,288.78 | 39.22 | 1.74 |
Taiwan Weighted | 12,926.37 | 197.32 | 1.55 |
