Asian markets settled mostly higher on Thursday tracking overnight rally in Wall Street after the US Fed raised rates by 25 bps, as widely expected. And at the same time, US Fed Chair Powell said disinflationary process has started but ongoing increases in rates will be needed to curb price pressures. Seoul shares rose, even as the south Korea consumer price index rose 5.2% in January on an annualised basis. Japanese shares gained, despite a stronger yen weighed on exporters. Chinese shares ended flat ahead of a slew of earnings from prominent firms in the coming weeks.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,285.67 | 0.75 | 0.02 |
Hang Seng | 21,958.36 | -113.82 | -0.52 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,890.57 | 28.31 | 0.41 |
KLSE Composite | 1,489.80 | 4.30 | 0.29 |
Nikkei 225 | 27,402.05 | 55.17 | 0.20 |
Straits Times | 3,363.68 | -13.97 | -0.42 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,468.88 | 19.08 | 0.77 |
Taiwan Weighted | 15,595.16 | 175.03 | 1.12 |