Asian markets closed mostly down on Thursday tracking Wall Street’s overnight falls and as the US dollar and bond yields continued to surge with caution ahead to the release of key inflation readings from the euro zone and the United States. Market sentiments weakened further as Israel’s national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi said the continuing war on Gaza is likely to last through the end of the year. Chinese shares declined as the International Monetary Fund upgraded the country's 2024, 2025 GDP growth forecasts, even though it expected slower growth in the years ahead. Japanese shares settled down, while Yen gained after BoJ board member Seiji Adachi emphasized reducing bond buying in several stages so that long-term yields better serve as a market signal. Hong Kong shares fell ahead of the release of China's official Purchasing Managers Index data for May, while Seoul shares dropped ahead of industrial production figures due on Friday.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,091.68 | -19.34 | -0.63 |
Hang Seng | 18,230.19 | -246.82 | -1.35 |
Jakarta Composite | 7,034.14 | -106.09 | -1.51 |
KLSE Composite | 1,604.26 | -1.09 | -0.07 |
Nikkei 225 | 38,054.13 | -502.74 | -1.32 |
Straits Times | 3,323.38 | 0.18 | 0.01 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,635.44 | -41.86 | -1.59 |
Taiwan Weighted | 21,364.48 | -298.02 | -1.39 |
