Asian stock markets ended mixed on Thursday overlooking strong Australian jobs data and a surprise interest rate cut by South Korea but investors remained cautious on concerns that a pick-up in inflation in China will limit its policy options. Japanese market started on a firm note with investors picking up stocks, tracking a positive lead from Wall Street but closed lower on profit booking. Chinese Shanghai Composite went home with red mark as China witnessed increase in inflation to 2.4% in April from 2.1% in March. However, South Korea's KOSPI ended higher after the Bank of Korea surprised investors by lowering its benchmark rate to 2.5% from 2.75%, the first cut in seven months.
Indonesian market remained shut for the trade today.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 2,232.97 | -13.33 | -0.59 |
Hang Seng | 23,211.48 | -32.87 | -0.14 |
Jakarta Composite | - | - | - |
KLSE Composite | 1,766.07 | -7.93 | -0.45 |
Nikkei 225 | 14,191.48 | -94.21 | -0.66 |
Straits Times | 3,432.78 | 19.76 | 0.58 |
KOSPI Composite | 1,979.45 | 23.00 | 1.18 |
Taiwan Weighted | 8,285.89 | 18.80 | 0.23 |
