Asian markets traded mostly higher in early deals on Monday, whetted by the risk appetite in the market after last week's significant half-point rate cut by Federal Reserve and the new monetary easing cycle. Market sentiments got boosted after the People’s Bank of China unexpectedly lowered its 14-day repo rate by 10 basis points to 1.85% and injected CNY 74.5 billion of liquidity into the banking system using the tool. The Hang Seng is trading near its highest level in 14 weeks. Investors now looking ahead to the U.S. GDP print, key inflation figures, surveys on global manufacturing, U.S. consumer confidence and durable goods orders data due this week for more directional cues. Japanese market is closed for observation of the Autumnal Equinox holiday.
Straits Times up by 18.61 points 0.51% to 3,643.37, Hang Seng rose by 100.81 points 0.55% to 18,359.38, Taiwan Weighted climbed by 83.99 points or 0.38% to 22,243.41, KOSPI Index jumped by 3.01 points or 0.12% to 2,596.38, and Shanghai Composite jumped by 19.58 points or 0.71% to 2,756.39.
On the flip side, Jakarta Composite dipped by 24.39 points or 0.31% to 7,718.61, and FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI diminished by 3.05 points or 0.18% to 1,665.77.