Asian markets trade mostly lower in early deals on Wednesday

21 Feb 2024 Evaluate
Asian markets traded mostly lower in early deals on Wednesday, pressured by the risk aversion as the benchmark interest rate cut hopes dulls ahead to US Federal Reserve’s last meeting minutes due later today. Market sentiment also saddled with the lingering Middle East geo political tensions, and on woes over struggling Chinese economy. Meanwhile, the People’s Bank of China trimmed its five-year loan prime rate by 25 basis points to 3.95%, more than forecasts for a 15 bps cut. Japan’s Nikkei dipped with the weak Wall Street overnight and on subdued manufacturing reading of Japan.

Nikkei 225 down by 134.49 points or 0.35% to 38,229.12, Straits Times slipped 9.64 points 0.30% to 3,234.42, Taiwan Weighted declined 86.15 points or 0.46% to 18,667.01, Jakarta Composite shrunk by 50.69 points or 0.69% to 7,301.91. KOSPI Index narrowed 3.68 points or 0.14% to 2,654.11, and FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI diminished by 5.84 points or 0.38% to 1,549.75.

On the flip side, Hang Seng up 488.41 points 2.92% to 16,735.92, and Shanghai Composite rose by 50.14 points or 1.69% to 2,972.87.

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