Asian markets settled mostly higher on Wednesday with the prospect of a pause in the Federal Reserve's interest rate hike cycle next week. Meanwhile, investors awaited cues from US inflation data for directional cues. Wall Street’s overnight gains also helped the Asian markets to trade higher. Chinese shares traded almost flat with positive momentum due to expected stimulus measures to boost growth. But, some gains were capped by disappointed Chinese trade data. However, Japanese shares declined on profit booking.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 3,197.76 | 2.42 | 0.08 |
| Hang Seng | 19,252.00 | 152.72 | 0.79 |
| Jakarta Composite | 6,619.76 | 0.84 | 0.01 |
| KLSE Composite | 1,378.65 | -4.52 | -0.33 |
| Nikkei 225 | 31,913.74 | -593.04 | -1.86 |
| Straits Times | 3,179.58 | -10.53 | -0.33 |
| KOSPI Composite | 2,615.60 | 0.19 | 0.01 |
| Taiwan Weighted | 16,922.48 | 160.82 | 0.95 |
