Asian markets settled down on Thursday after the minutes of the Federal Reserve's January policy meeting revealed that the US central bank is in no rush to cut interest rates as inflation risks remain in focus, while US President Donald Trump's harsh criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also heightened tensions in the ongoing conflict. Japanese shares declined as the yen strengthened to around a two-month high against the US dollar amid rising speculation that the Bank of Japan could raise its benchmark interest rate at its next policy meeting. Moreover, Seoul shares fell on profit booking following tariff pressures and budget cuts from the Donald Trump administration.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,350.78 | -0.76 | -0.02 |
Hang Seng | 22,576.98 | -367.26 | -1.63 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,788.04 | -6.83 | -0.10 |
KLSE Composite | 1,577.67 | -3.21 | -0.20 |
Nikkei 225 | 38,678.04 | -486.57 | -1.26 |
Straits Times | 3,927.51 | -6.53 | -0.17 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,654.06 | -17.46 | -0.66 |
Taiwan Weighted | 23,487.46 | -116.62 | -0.50 |
