Asian markets settled mostly down on Wednesday as investors were awaiting the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision later in the day, while Jerome Powell’s remarks to the press after the rate announcement also waiting for clues on the easing cycle’s direction. Investors will be focused on Fed’s final Summary of Economic Projections (SEP) for 2025, which includes forecasts from Fed officials on economic growth, inflation, and interest rates for the coming years. Chinese shares declined after the release of mixed inflation data, with consumer price inflation accelerating in November while factory deflation worsened. Attention now turns to the China's upcoming Central Economic Work Conference, where policymakers are expected to outline next year’s growth targets and policy plans. Moreover, Japanese shares slipped marginally ahead of the Bank of Japan policy meetings. Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda indicated that the central bank is getting close to its inflation target, suggesting a potential near-term rate hike.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 3,900.50 | -9.02 | -0.23 |
| Hang Seng | 25,540.78 | 106.55 | 0.42 |
| Jakarta Composite | 8,700.92 | 43.74 | 0.50 |
| KLSE Composite | 1,611.00 | -3.17 | -0.20 |
| Nikkei 225 | 50,602.8 | -52.30 | -0.10 |
| Straits Times | 4,511.90 | -1.34 | -0.03 |
| KOSPI Composite | 4,135.00 | -8.55 | -0.21 |
| Taiwan Weighted | 28,400.73 | 218.13 | 0.77 |
