Asian markets settled mixed on Monday due to concerns over heightened tensions in the Middle East and Europe and uncertainty over the US presidential election. Japanese shares weakened marginally even after another winning close on Wall Street. Investors are awaiting Japan’s general election at the end of this week. Meanwhile, Chinese shares rose as Chinese banks cut their benchmark lending rates after easing by the central bank at the end of September, part of a series of stimulus measures aimed at reviving economic growth and halting a housing market slump. The one-year loan prime rate was lowered to 3.10% from 3.35%, while the five-year LPR was reduced to 3.60% from 3.85%.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 3,268.11 | 6.55 | 0.20 |
| Hang Seng | 20,478.46 | -325.65 | -1.59 |
| Jakarta Composite | 7,772.60 | 12.54 | 0.16 |
| KLSE Composite | 1,645.68 | -0.31 | -0.02 |
| Nikkei 225 | 38,954.60 | -27.15 | -0.07 |
| Straits Times | 3,614.58 | -25.61 | -0.71 |
| KOSPI Composite | 2,604.92 | 11.10 | 0.43 |
| Taiwan Weighted | 23,542.53 | 55.26 | 0.23 |
