Asian markets settled down on Wednesday following overnight declines in Wall Street as rally in commodities, positive US manufacturing activity and strong jobs data spurred speculation that the US central bank will keep interest rates higher for the time being. Meanwhile, investors were cautiously awaiting Fed Chair Jerome Powell's speech later in the day and the release of Friday's US non-farm payroll data for additional clarity on the timing and pace of Federal Reserve easing. Hong Kong shares dropped after a powerful earthquake in Taiwan raised concerns about possible disruptions to the vital chip-making industry. Moreover, Chinese shares declined even as a private survey data showed service sector activity in the country grew as expected in March.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 3,069.30 | -5.66 | -0.18 |
| Hang Seng | 16,725.10 | -206.42 | -1.23 |
| Jakarta Composite | 7,166.84 | -70.14 | -0.98 |
| KLSE Composite | 1,537.01 | -10.98 | -0.71 |
| Nikkei 225 | 39,451.85 | -387.06 | -0.98 |
| Straits Times | 3,222.66 | -25.06 | -0.78 |
| KOSPI Composite | 2,706.97 | -46.19 | -1.71 |
| Taiwan Weighted | 20,337.60 | -128.97 | -0.63 |
