The Asian markets barring Nikkei 225 and Seoul Composite concluded Wednesday’s trade in green some of the regional gauges heading for a one-month high, led by health-care stocks. Sentiment remained muted elsewhere across the Asia-Pacific region after some disappointing economic data out of the United States and due to caution ahead of the minutes of the Federal Reserve's January 28-29 meeting due to be released later in the global day. China’s Shanghai Composite index rose as energy companies strengthened and investors speculated smaller banks will form alliances to expand their business on mobile devices. China is targeting 9.5 percent growth in industrial production this year, slightly below the 9.7 percent growth posted in 2013.
Japanese stocks fell, with a pause in the yen's slide and some profit taking after the previous session's sharp rally. The yen was trading above 102 against US dollar. Malaysia's inflation increased in January, and exceeded economist’s expectations. According to the Department of Statistics, inflation from 3.2 percent in December accelerated to 3.4 percent in January. Economists had forecast a modest rise to 3.3 percent. The consumer price index moved up 0.6 percent in January on a monthly basis.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 2142.55 | 23.45 | 1.11 |
Hang Seng | 22664.52 | 76.80 | 0.34 |
Jakarta Composite | 4592.65 | 36.46 | 0.80 |
KLSE Composite | 1829.45 | 4.21 | 0.23 |
Nikkei 225 | 14766.53 | 76.71 | -0.52 |
Straits Times | 3088.79 | 18.01 | 0.59 |
KOSPI Composite | 1942.93 | 3.98 | -0.20 |
Taiwan Weighted | 8577.01 | 20.78 | 0.24 |