Asian equity indices are exhibiting mixed trade in early deals on Wednesday, with investors mostly treading cautiously, hampered by expectations of further reductions in the US Federal Reserve's stimulus. Japanese markets were trading lower by around a percentage point ahead of the conclusion of the central bank’s monetary policy meeting. However, Chinese benchmarks edged higher by over one and a half percent, as cash rates in the mainland eased further after the Chinese central bank offered funds earlier this week to ease a cash squeeze.
KLSE Composite dipped 5.21 points or 0.29% to 1,810.13, Nikkei 225 declined 141.69 points or 0.90% to 15,654.27, Straits Times slipped 1.65 points or 0.05% to 3,132.11 and Seoul Composite was down by 1.90 points or 0.10% to 1,961.99.
On the flip side, Shanghai Composite surged 33.53 points or 1.67% to 2,041.84, Hang Seng rose 17.61 points or 0.08% to 23,050.73, Jakarta Composite added 0.78 points or 0.02% to 4,453.28 and Taiwan Weighted was up by 25.00 points or 0.29% to 8,624.90.