Asian markets trade mostly lower in early deals on Wednesday

18 Jun 2025 Evaluate
Asian markets traded mostly lower in early deals on Wednesday, reflecting negative cues from Wall Street amid rising concerns over escalating tensions in the Middle East. Investors reacted to geopolitical uncertainties and the impact on oil prices, which contributed to the overall market downturn. Hang Seng extended losses for the second consecutive day after Hong Kong’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate hit a two-year high of 3.5% in the three months ending May, due to some headwinds including shifts in consumption patterns. 

Hang Seng slipped by 281.65 points 1.19% to 23,698.65, Straits Times down by 12.92 points 0.33% to 3,917.72, Jakarta Composite narrowed by 36.75 points or 0.51% to 7,119.10, Shanghai Composite trimmed by 6.93 points or 0.21% to 3,380.47 and FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI lower 0.35 points or 0.02% to 1,511.29.

On the flip side, Nikkei 225 up by 258.37 points or 0.67% to 38,795.11, KOSPI Index increased by 8.18 points or 0.28% to 2,958.48, and Taiwan Weighted rose by 42.95 points 0.19% to 22,254.54.

© 2026 The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved. MoneyWorks4Me ® is a registered trademark of The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd.

×