Asian markets settled mostly higher on Wednesday, despite overnight fall in US stocks ahead of the Fed's interest-rate decision which could offer additional cues on future rate hikes. Chinese and Hong Kong shares extended strong gains following unconfirmed social media posts suggesting that China was planning a relaxation of strict Covid-19 curbs in March 2023. Investors also cheered comments from the Peoples' Bank of China (PBoC) governor suggesting that the yuan exchange rate will remain stable and the country’s growth rate remains in a reasonable range. Japanese shares settled almost unchanged as minutes from the Bank of Japan's policy meeting in September showed that several policymakers stressed the need to maintain the bank's easing policy.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,003.37 | 34.17 | 1.15 |
Hang Seng | 15,827.17 | 371.90 | 2.41 |
Jakarta Composite | 7,015.69 | -36.61 | -0.52 |
KLSE Composite | 1,451.61 | 5.69 | 0.39 |
Nikkei 225 | 27,663.39 | -15.53 | -0.06 |
Straits Times | 3,141.13 | 10.63 | 0.34 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,336.87 | 1.65 | 0.07 |
Taiwan Weighted | 13,100.17 | 62.96 | 0.48 |
