Asian markets settle mixed on Monday

01 Apr 2024 Evaluate
Asian markets settled mixed on Monday. Market in Hong Kong closed for Easter holiday. South Korea's Kospi average ended almost flat with gains as soft US inflation data boosted bets that the US central bank could cut interest rates in June. US prices moderated in February, with the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index rising 0.3%, data showed. Chinese shares gained after an official survey showed Chinese manufacturing activity expanded in March, with the official purchasing managers' index coming in at 50.8, up from 49.1 a month earlier. Also, China's factory activity expanded at its fastest rate in 13 months, the private sector Caixin PMI showed. The Caixin/S&P Global manufacturing PMI inched up to 51.1 in March from 50.9 the previous month, above forecasts of 51 and marking an expansion for the fifth consecutive month. Japanese shares declined sharply as the Japanese currency yen pinned near intervention zone. Meanwhile, Japan’s Nikkei share average dropping below the key 40,000 mark due to profit booking on the first day of the country’s financial year.

Asian Indices

Last Trade            

Change in Points

Change in %      

Shanghai Composite

3,077.38

36.21

1.18

Hang Seng

--

--

--

Jakarta Composite

7,205.06

-83.75

-1.16

KLSE Composite

1,544.02

13.42

0.88

Nikkei 225

39,803.09

-566.35

-1.42

Straits Times

3,234.89

10.88

0.34

KOSPI Composite

2,747.86

1.23

0.04

Taiwan Weighted

20,222.33

-72.12

-0.36

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