Asian markets tumbled badly and ended lower on Thursday, as investor sentiments were hurt by Fed Chairman Bernanke's comments signaling the end of bond buying by the middle of next year. Mainland Chinese shares closed lower after reporting contraction in manufacturing activity at a faster pace in June, reducing the prospects of a promising economic recovery. The flash manufacturing purchasing managers' index fell to a nine-month low of 48.3 in June from 49.2 in May. Japan’s Nikkei stocks fell sharply, on the back of a weaker yen which fell against both the dollar and euro. Hang Seng market went home with huge losses, as Hang Seng China Enterprises Index, which tracks Chinese companies’ Hong Kong-listed shares, tumbled to a nine-month low after the disappointing data.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 2,084.02 | -59.43 | -2.77 |
Hang Seng | 20,382.87 | -604.02 | -2.88 |
Jakarta Composite | 4,629.99 | -176.66 | -3.68 |
KLSE Composite | 1,762.34 | -10.54 | -0.59 |
Nikkei 225 | 13,014.58 | -230.64 | -1.74 |
Straits Times | 3,133.26 | -80.53 | -2.51 |
KOSPI Composite | 1,850.49 | -37.82 | -2.00 |
Taiwan Weighted | 7,898.91 | -108.48 | -1.35 |
