Asian markets ended with excellent gains on Wednesday following a record-breaking performance by shares amid better than expected economic data from the United States. Japan's Nikkei 225 closed higher after touching its highest intraday level since September 2008, ahead of Bank of Japan’s policy meetings on March 7. Meanwhile, China stocks went home with green mark continuing to recover from Monday's sharp drop, with the annual session of the National People's Congress in full swing. Hong Kong, also ended on a positive note as Standard Chartered gained sharply after the emerging markets-focused bank posted a tenth consecutive year of record profits.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 2,347.18 | 20.87 | 0.90 |
Hang Seng | 22,777.84 | 217.34 | 0.96 |
Jakarta Composite | 4,824.68 | 72.98 | 1.54 |
KLSE Composite | 1,651.84 | 9.76 | 0.59 |
Nikkei 225 | 11,932.27 | 248.82 | 2.13 |
Straits Times | 3,291.81 | 43.55 | 1.34 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,020.74 | 4.13 | 0.20 |
Taiwan Weighted | 7,950.30 | 17.59 | 0.22 |