Asian markets end mixed on Wednesday

17 Dec 2025 Evaluate
Asian markets ended mixed on Wednesday tracking Wall Street’s mixed finish overnight following the release of jobs and retail sales data, while investors were awaiting Thursday's inflation data for fresh insights into the US economic and rate outlook. Further, the US economy shed 105,000 jobs in October and the unemployment rate touched 4.6 percent -- its highest level since September 2021, while 64,000 jobs were added in November beat forecasts for an increase of 50,000 jobs. US business activity expanded at its weakest pace since June, while retail sales were unexpectedly flat in October as consumers cut back on spending due to rising economic uncertainty. Chinese and Hong Kong shares rose sharply, with technology shares leading the surge. Chinese chipmaker MetaX Integrated Circuits soared more than 700% on its Shanghai market debut after raising $600 million in its initial public offering. Japan’s Nikkei gained even as robust economic data reinforced expectations that the Bank of Japan will raise interest rates this week. Data showed the country's trade balance grew much more than expected in November, lifted by a 6.1% year on year rise in exports. Separate data revealed that Japan's core machinery orders, which exclude volatile sectors such as ships and electric power, jumped 7% month-over-month in October. Seoul shares rallied as investors picked up semiconductor shares, while the Korean won weakened to its lowest level in over eight months against the US dollar.

Asian Indices

Last Trade            

Change in Points

Change in %      

Shanghai Composite

3,870.28

45.47

1.19

Hang Seng

25,468.78

233.37

0.92

Jakarta Composite

8,677.35

-9.12

-0.11

KLSE Composite

1,641.44

-6.87

-0.42

Nikkei 225

49,512.28

128.99

0.26

Straits Times

4,575.48

-4.25

-0.09

KOSPI Composite

4,056.41

57.28

1.43

Taiwan Weighted

27,525.17

-11.49

-0.04


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