Asian markets traded mixed in early deals on Thursday, amidst lack of proper directional cues in the market. Risk aversion with the jitters over global recession ahead to key US jobs data this Friday saddled investments. Albeit, three year low hit of US job openings opened room for substantial interest rate cuts by Federal Reserve. Japan’s Nikkei plunged after real wages of the country reported rise for the second straight month spurring bets on more interest rate hikes by BoJ. Additionally, sharp gains in local currency yen also saddled foreign investment inflows.
Nikkei 225 down by 505.04 points 1.36% to 36,542.57, Hang Seng shrunk by 80.48 points 0.46% to 17,376.86, KOSPI Index lower by 12.89 points or 0.50% to 2,567.91, and FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI curtailed by 1.40 points or 0.08% to 1,668.84.
On the flip side, Straits Times up by 4.30 points 0.12% to 3,445.68, Taiwan Weighted rose by 172.00 points or 0.82% to 21,264.75, Jakarta Composite buoyed by 31.82 points or 0.41% to 7,704.72, Shanghai Composite added by 1.10 points or 0.04% to 2,785.38.