Asian markets trade mostly lower in early deals on Thursday

21 Dec 2023 Evaluate

Most of the Asian markets traded lower in early deals on Thursday, due to some profit taking after strong rally in previous session and on pushback from Fed officials against the idea of multiple rate cuts next year. Ongoing geopolitical concerns, slowing global economic growth and China debt risks also saddled market sentiments. Meanwhile, People’s Bank of China kept benchmark lending rates unchanged on Wednesday beating expectations of more dovish policy to stem the ailing economy. Japan’s Nikkei fell the most among Asian indices after two consecutive sessional gains in tandem with the negative Wall Street overnight. Moreover, stronger local currency yen added losses to export sector and curtailed foreign investments.

Nikkei 225 slipped 555.66 points or 1.65% to 33,120.28, Hang Seng weakened 40.69 points 0.25% to 16,573.12, Taiwan Weighted lost 104.56 points or 0.59% to 17,530.64, KOSPI Index fell 20.74 points or 0.79% to 2,593.56, Jakarta Composite declined 21.69 points or 0.30% to 7,197.98, and FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI was down by 7.14 points or 0.49% to 1,457.42.

On the flip side, Straits Times rose 4.47 points or 0.14% to 3,112.50 and Shanghai Composite was up by 4.38 points or 0.15% to 2,906.49.

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