Asian markets settled mostly lower on Tuesday on caution ahead of upcoming release of the United States and European inflation data, while market participants are also awaiting speeches from Fed officials for more clarity on the path for Federal Reserve monetary policy. Japanese shares fell as investors anticipated potential policy tightening by the Bank of Japan ahead of its June meeting. While, Japan's service prices rose at the fastest clip in over 30 years in a sign of a broadening inflation trend that boosting the case for gradual increase in interest rates. Chinese shares declined, even as the China's commercial hub Shanghai has lowered down-payment ratios and the minimum mortgage threshold.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,109.57 | -14.47 | -0.47 |
Hang Seng | 18,821.16 | -6.19 | -0.03 |
Jakarta Composite | 7,253.63 | 77.21 | 1.06 |
KLSE Composite | 1,615.82 | -2.45 | -0.15 |
Nikkei 225 | 38,855.37 | -44.65 | -0.11 |
Straits Times | 3,330.09 | 11.64 | 0.35 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,722.85 | -0.14 | -0.01 |
Taiwan Weighted | 21,858.41 | 54.64 | 0.25 |
