All the Asian equity indices, barring Japanese Nikkei, ended the Wednesday’s session in negative terrain as investors opted to stay away from piling up positions in risky assets awaiting Federal Reserve to clarify the outlook on its massive stimulus when it ends a two-day policy meeting later in the day. Hong Kong benchmarks remained the top loser, declining by over a percent, while Shanghai Composite, Jakarta Composite, KOSPI Composite and Straits Times too witnessed a significant cut during the trade. Bucking the trend, Japan’s Nikkei average hit a one-week high on Wednesday, with traders citing the launch of a near $780 million investment trust as a driving factor. Some support also came in with rally in exporters after the nation’s shipments increased and the yen weakened.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 2,143.45 | -15.84 | -0.73 |
Hang Seng | 21,986.89 | -238.99 | -1.13 |
Jakarta Composite | 4,806.66 | -33.80 | -0.70 |
KLSE Composite | 1,772.88 | -1.17 | -0.07 |
Nikkei 225 | 13,245.22 | 237.94 | 1.83 |
Straits Times | 3,214.96 | -14.59 | -0.45 |
KOSPI Composite | 1,888.31 | -12.31 | -0.65 |
Taiwan Weighted | 8,007.39 | -3.63 | -0.05 |