Asian markets ended mostly lower on Wednesday ahead of another interest rate hike from the US Federal Reserve later in the day. The benchmark rate is expected to be lifted by a quarter point to a range between 5.25% and 5.5%. Meanwhile, the European Central Bank’s and the Bank of Japan’s interest rate decisions also kept the sentiments under pressure. South Korean shares dropped amid heavy sell-off by foreign investors. Chinese shares declined as investors awaited details of an economic stimulus measures package to support the country's struggling economy.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 3,223.03 | -8.49 | -0.26 |
| Hang Seng | 19,365.14 | -69.26 | -0.36 |
| Jakarta Composite | 6,948.28 | 30.57 | 0.44 |
| KLSE Composite | 1,449.29 | 12.50 | 0.87 |
| Nikkei 225 | 32,668.34 | -14.17 | -0.04 |
| Straits Times | 3,304.96 | 18.80 | 0.57 |
| KOSPI Composite | 2,592.36 | -44.10 | -1.70 |
| Taiwan Weighted | 17,162.55 | -36.34 | -0.21 |
