Asian markets trade mostly in red in early deals on Wednesday

21 Aug 2024 Evaluate
Asian markets traded mostly in red in early deals on Wednesday, due to risk aversion ahead of FOMC minutes due later today, Friday’s Fed Chair Powell's speech at the Jackson Hole Symposium and Thursday’s interest rate decision of the Bank of Korea. Investor sentiments also dulled as economic slowdown woes spurred after China’s bank lending reported sharp decline than anticipated in July, marking lowest in nearly 15 years. Meanwhile, the People’s Bank of China kept its one- and five-year loan prime rates unchanged at 3.45% and 3.85%, respectively, in line with expectations. Japan’s Nikkei narrowed as the stronger local currency yen dulled profit outlook of export-oriented industries. On economic front, Japan’s trade deficit widened in July as exports grew less than expected while imports accelerated.

Nikkei 225 down by 74.00 points 0.19% to 37,988.92, Straits Times dipped by 10.90 points 0.32% to 3,359.41, Taiwan Weighted slipped by 215.66 points or 0.96% to 22,213.44, Hang Seng reduced by 165.55 points 0.95% to 17,345.53, Shanghai Composite diminished by 11.31 points or 0.40% to 2,855.35, and FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI slipped by 3.22 points or 0.20% to 1,639.55

On the flip side, Jakarta Composite up by 28.67 points or 0.38% to 7,562.66, and KOSPI Index enlarged by 1.46 points or 0.05% to 2,698.09.

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