Asian markets ended mostly higher on Wednesday ahead of outcome of the Federal Reserve meeting later in the day, but relatively hawkish Fed rate cut is expected. Beyond the Federal Reserve, central bank meetings in Japan, Thailand, Indonesia and Philippines are also due this week. Chinese shares gained after reports that China is planning a record budget deficit for 2025 and that the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission has urged state-owned firms to improve market value management of listed companies. Hong Kong shares jumped with expectations that Chinese stimulus measures will help spur consumption. Although, Japanese shares declined as the BoJ is likely to keep its benchmark interest rates unchanged this week. Investors will pay close attention to BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda’s press conference to know about whether and how much the central bank will raise key borrowing rates in 2025.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 3,382.21 | 20.72 | 0.61 |
| Hang Seng | 19,864.55 | 164.07 | 0.83 |
| Jakarta Composite | 7,107.88 | -49.85 | -0.70 |
| KLSE Composite | 1,599.58 | 2.25 | 0.14 |
| Nikkei 225 | 39,081.71 | -282.97 | -0.72 |
| Straits Times | 3,779.62 | -20.31 | -0.54 |
| KOSPI Composite | 2,484.43 | 27.62 | 1.11 |
| Taiwan Weighted | 23,168.67 | 150.66 | 0.65 |
