Asian markets closed mostly lower on Wednesday tracking Wall Street’s overnight fall after US Consumer confidence worsened more than expected in April, while weak results from First Republic Bank also fuelled concerns about the health of the US banking sector. Japanese shares declined marginally ahead of Friday's interest rate decision from the Bank of Japan, while looming recession fears also dampened sentiments. Investors were awaiting upcoming US GDP data and PCE inflation for additional clues on the Federal Reserve's interest rate outlook. Meanwhile, Chinese shares finished almost flat ahead of Golden Week holiday.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,264.10 | -0.77 | -0.02 |
Hang Seng | 19,757.27 | 139.39 | 0.71 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,910.15 | 88.34 | 1.28 |
KLSE Composite | 1,414.25 | -10.94 | -0.77 |
Nikkei 225 | 28,416.47 | -203.60 | -0.72 |
Straits Times | 3,293.91 | -2.65 | -0.08 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,484.83 | -4.19 | -0.17 |
Taiwan Weighted | 15,374.63 | 3.90 | 0.03 |
