Asian markets trade mostly lower in early deals on Friday

17 May 2024 Evaluate
Most of the Asian markets traded lower in early deals on Friday, due to cautiousness in the market with the mixed US economic data and its impact on Fed’s monetary direction. Stronger dollar and rising crude oil rates also pressured equity indices. Investor sentiments also dulled after China’s retail sales rose the least in 15 months and fixed investment expanded less than expected during the first four months of 2024. Meanwhile, industrial output growth jumped more than forecasts. Japan’s Nikkei retreated in the session with the technical correction in technological sector stocks and on dulled prospects after GDP of the country decline more than expected for Q1. Japan’s economy declined at an annualized 2% in the Q1 of 2024, coming in worse than market expectations for a 1.5% contraction as private consumption fell for the fourth straight quarter. 

Nikkei 225 down by 190.47 points 0.49% to 38,729.79, Straits Times dipped by 10.82 points 0.33% to 3,294.17, Taiwan Weighted narrowed by 50.63 points or 0.24% to 21,253.63, KOSPI Index shrunk by 25.08 points or 0.91% to 2,727.92, Shanghai Composite declined by 3.13 points or 0.10% to 3,119.27.

On the flip side, Hang Seng up by 56.61 points 0.29% to 19,433.14, Jakarta Composite buoyed by 81.46 points or 1.11% to 7,328.16, and FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI widened by 6.03 points or 0.37% to 1,617.14.

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