Asian markets ended mixed on Thursday on caution ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays next week. Meanwhile, investors were more anxious over when the US Federal Reserve could cut interest rates. Chinese shares gained after China appointed a veteran regulator as the new securities watchdog head, while prospects of supportive measures from Chinese authorities also boosted market sentiments. Japanese markets posted strong gains tracking Wall Street gains overnight, while the Japanese yen weakened following comments from Bank of Japan's deputy governor that rapid interest rate hikes are unlikely even after ending negative interest rate policy.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 2,865.90 | 36.20 | 1.26 |
| Hang Seng | 15,878.07 | -203.82 | -1.28 |
| Jakarta Composite | -- | -- | -- |
| KLSE Composite | 1,512.36 | -0.75 | -0.05 |
| Nikkei 225 | 36,863.28 | 743.36 | 2.02 |
| Straits Times | 3,142.91 | -13.24 | -0.42 |
| KOSPI Composite | 2,620.32 | 10.74 | 0.41 |
| Taiwan Weighted | -- | -- | -- |
