Asian markets trade mostly higher in early deals on Wednesday

20 Dec 2023 Evaluate
Most of the Asian markets traded higher in early deals on Wednesday, kindled by the risk appetite in the market with the optimism that the US Federal Reserve will start curtailing benchmark interest rates next year. Market sentiments also got boosted after PBoC left its one-year and five-year loan prime rates at 3.45% and 4.2%, respectively, in line with expectations. Hang Seng advanced amidst optimism after the seasonally adjusted jobless rate was unchanged at 2.9% in the three months ending November. Japan’s Nikkei soared the most among Asian indices after BoJ maintained its ultra-dovish policy stance. Moreover, weaker local currency yen also encouraged foreign investments.

Nikkei 225 up by 507.18 points or 1.53% to 33,726.57, Straits Times rose 0.90 points or 0.03% to 3,117.52, Hang Seng climbed 167.70 points 1.01% to 16,672.70, Taiwan Weighted jumped 40.10 points or 0.23% to 17,616.65, KOSPI Index lifted 41.72 points or 1.62% to 2,610.27, Jakarta Composite widened by 37.37 points or 0.52% to 7,225.22, and FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI added by 3.58 points or 0.24% to 1,469.25

On the flip side, Shanghai Composite decreased by 11.76 points or 0.40% to 2,920.63.

© 2026 The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved. MoneyWorks4Me ® is a registered trademark of The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd.

×