Asian markets ended mixed on Thursday due to uncertainty over tariffs from the US Trump administration and ahead of policy decisions from several major central banks in the coming weeks. Chinese shares gained after China announced a plans to channel hundreds of billions of yuan of investment from state-owned insurers into shares as part of the government's latest efforts to support a struggling stock market. Also, China's capital market regulator pledged to step up efforts to propel cross-border investment and financing, increase the appeal of A-shares to international investors, and enhance communication to address investor concerns and their legitimate demands. Japanese shares rose, tracking Wall Street’s gains overnight driven by optimism over artificial intelligence spending, while investors are awaiting the CPI data and the BoJ rate decision due Friday. Meanwhile, Seoul shares declined sharply after data showed South Korean economy barely grew in the fourth quarter of 2024 and missed the market expectations amidst the worst political crisis in decades.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 3,230.16 | 16.54 | 0.51 |
| Hang Seng | 19,700.56 | -78.21 | -0.40 |
| Jakarta Composite | 7,232.64 | -24.49 | -0.34 |
| KLSE Composite | 1,577.20 | -10.60 | -0.67 |
| Nikkei 225 | 39,958.87 | 312.62 | 0.78 |
| Straits Times | 3,806.57 | 25.36 | 0.67 |
| KOSPI Composite | 2,515.49 | -31.57 | -1.26 |
| Taiwan Weighted | -- | -- | -- |
