Asian markets ended mixed on Thursday amid a weaker-than-expected US private-sector jobs data. A report released by payroll processor ADP has showed private sector employment rose by 38,000 jobs in August after climbing by an upwardly revised 46,000 jobs in July. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump stated that renewed US attacks on Iran would likely be short-lived, helping ease concerns over a prolonged Middle East conflict, while falling Brent crude prices provided some relief regarding inflationary pressures. Chinese markets ended largely flat after the RatingDog China General Services PMI rebounded to 51.4 in August from 50.4 in July, though it was still the second-lowest reading ?in 14 months. Japanese markets declined marginally as the yen strengthened sharply, while traders weighed the possibility of further Japanese currency intervention against rising expectations for Bank of Japan rate hikes.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,942.09 | 0.70 | 0.02 |
Hang Seng | 25,213.31 | -97.90 | -0.39 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,667.89 | 72.11 | 1.08 |
KLSE Composite | 1,715.13 | 6.39 | 0.37 |
Nikkei 225 | 64,214.48 | -111.16 | -0.17 |
Straits Times | 5,747.71 | 3.60 | 0.06 |
KOSPI Composite | 6,579.48 | 16.76 | 0.26 |
Taiwan Weighted | 45,857.66 | -307.06 | -0.67 |
