Asian markets settled mostly higher on Thursday after a gain in US technology stocks and with growing expectations for an earlier-than-expected start to the US Federal Reserve's policy easing cycle after multiple reports signalled slowing growth in the United States. Investors are awaiting this week’s US jobs report to gauge the Federal Reserve's next moves on interest rates. Japanese shares gained on tracking Wall street’s gains overnight, even with caution ahead of global central bank meetings. Meanwhile, South Korean market is closed for the Memorial Day holiday.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,048.79 | -16.61 | -0.54 |
Hang Seng | 18,476.80 | 51.84 | 0.28 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,974.90 | 27.23 | 0.39 |
KLSE Composite | 1,614.73 | 6.20 | 0.39 |
Nikkei 225 | 38,703.51 | 213.34 | 0.55 |
Straits Times | 3,330.81 | 0.80 | 0.02 |
KOSPI Composite | -- | -- | -- |
Taiwan Weighted | 21,902.70 | 417.82 | 1.91 |
