The Asian markets barring Jakarta Composite and KLSE Composite concluded Thursday’s trade in red extending a global rout on renewed fears about emerging economies after the US Federal Reserve pressed ahead with its stimulus reduction and central banks in Turkey and South Africa jacked up interest rates. Taiwan stock exchange was closed on account of ‘Lunar New Year's Eve’ holiday while South Korea market was closed due to ‘Seollal Holiday’. Indonesia’s rupiah headed for its second weekly drop and government bonds fell after the Federal Reserve pressed ahead with stimulus cuts that have spurred outflows from the nation’s assets.
China’s manufacturing activity decreased for the first time in six months in January. The HSBC China Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index fell to a final reading of 49.5 in January from 50.5 in December. A reading below 50 in the gauge of nationwide manufacturing indicates a contraction from the previous month and above indicates expansion. The final reading was slightly lower than HSBC’s preliminary January PMI of 49.6 published on January 23. Japan’s retail sales fell to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 2.6%, from 4.0% in the preceding month.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 2033.08 | -16.83 | -0.82 |
Hang Seng | 22035.42 | -106.19 | -0.48 |
Jakarta Composite | 4418.76 | 1.41 | 0.03 |
KLSE Composite | 1804.03 | 14.80 | 0.83 |
Nikkei 225 | 15007.06 | -376.85 | -2.45 |
Straits Times | 3027.22 | -20.71 | -0.68 |
KOSPI Composite | - | - | - |
Taiwan Weighted | - | - | - |