Asian markets ended mixed on Wednesday ahead of the US Federal Reserve's rate decision, while slowing US consumer price inflation data reinforced expectations that the Fed would pause interest rate hike in June. Japanese shares led regional gains tracking Wall Street gains overnight, while the yen weakened on expectations that the Japanese central bank would maintain its ultra-loose policy stance to support the economy. Meanwhile, Chinese shares finished lower with caution after the latest China Economic Update released today by the World Bank said that China's economic recovery remains fragile and depended on policy support.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,228.99 | -4.68 | -0.14 |
Hang Seng | 19,408.42 | -113.00 | -0.58 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,699.72 | -19.29 | -0.29 |
KLSE Composite | 1,385.42 | 4.81 | 0.35 |
Nikkei 225 | 33,502.42 | 483.77 | 1.44 |
Straits Times | 3,218.14 | 28.74 | 0.89 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,619.08 | -18.87 | -0.72 |
Taiwan Weighted | 17,238.14 | 21.54 | 0.12 |