Asian markets settled mostly higher on Thursday tracking Wall Street gains overnight following the Fed’s December policy meeting minutes, which showed that the US central bank officials agreeing that the Fed should slow the pace of aggressive interest rate increases. Meanwhile, investors are also awaiting key US jobs data due on Friday that could influence the Fed's policy path. Chinese shares gained after a private survey showed China’s services activity contracted at a slower pace in December, while the People's Bank of China (PBoC) said it would step up financing support to spur domestic demand and support a stable real estate market in 2023, also aided market sentiments. Hong Kong shares rose amid optimism over signs of reopening in China. The Chinese government announced on Thursday that the border between mainland China and Hong Kong will gradually reopen from January 8, paving the way for a restoration of economic and social ties that have been disrupted for three years. Moreover, a weaker safe-haven yen boosted Japanese export shares.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,155.22 | 31.70 | 1.01 |
Hang Seng | 21,052.17 | 259.06 | 1.25 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,653.84 | -159.40 | -2.34 |
KLSE Composite | 1,480.93 | 11.38 | 0.77 |
Nikkei 225 | 25,820.80 | 103.94 | 0.40 |
Straits Times | 3,292.66 | 50.20 | 1.55 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,264.65 | 8.67 | 0.38 |
Taiwan Weighted | 14,301.05 | 101.92 | 0.72 |
