Asian markets settled mostly lower on Wednesday due to caution ahead of US inflation data which will provide cues of the Federal Reserve's next policy move, while rising crude oil prices amid escalating hostilities between Saudi Arabia and Iran-backed Houthi rebels also added pressure. Market sentiment weakened further after Dutch chip-equipment maker ASML said it would be unable to fully meet demand in 2027 and 2028, fuelling concerns over the sustainability of the artificial intelligence (AI) investment boom. However, some losses were limited as US Treasury yields eased following dovish remarks from New York Fed President John Williams, who stated that one additional rate hike may be appropriate late this year. He also indicated that further tightening might not be necessary in 2027.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,767.23 | -33.64 | -0.88 |
Hang Seng | 24,314.17 | -31.05 | -0.13 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,943.02 | 17.04 | 0.29 |
KLSE Composite | 1,627.72 | 4.37 | 0.27 |
Nikkei 225 | 67,744.29 | -33.23 | -0.05 |
Straits Times | 5,423.33 | -7.17 | -0.13 |
KOSPI Composite | 6,008.81 | -26.54 | -0.44 |
Taiwan Weighted | 48,625.83 | 284.52 | 0.59 |
