Asian markets settled mostly higher on Monday tracking Wall Street’s gains last Friday with persisting fears that the US Federal Reserve will keep raising interest rates to control inflationary pressures. Meanwhile, investors are awaiting testimony from US Fed Chair Jerome Powell and upcoming central bank decisions in Japan and Australia. Seoul shares gained after data showed South Korea’s inflation eased to below 5 percent for the first time in 10 months in February. Japanese shares rose amid expectations that Japanese central bank will maintain its ultra-loose policy to support economy. Although, Chinese shares declined as the country set a modest target for economic growth this year of around 5%, down from last year's target of 5.5%.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,322.03 | -6.36 | -0.19 |
Hang Seng | 20,603.19 | 35.65 | 0.17 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,807.00 | -6.64 | -0.10 |
KLSE Composite | 1,452.68 | -0.87 | -0.06 |
Nikkei 225 | 28,237.78 | 310.31 | 1.10 |
Straits Times | 3,244.36 | 12.34 | 0.38 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,462.62 | 30.55 | 1.24 |
Taiwan Weighted | 15,763.51 | 155.09 | 0.98 |
