Asian markets trade mostly higher in early deals on Wednesday

18 Dec 2024 Evaluate
Most of the Asian markets traded higher in early deals on Wednesday, due to risk appetite in the market amidst optimism over Federal Reserve's interest-rate decision later in the day. The central bank is widely expected to trim interest rates by 25 basis points, albeit the focus will be on the release of Summary of Economic Projections, which will unveil the Federal Reserve’s plans. Hang Seng rebounded after four straight sessional losses bolstered by the signs that China will adopt a more proactive fiscal policy for the coming year, including plans to issue more government bonds. Bucking the trend, Japan’s Nikkei dipped in line with the negative Wall Street overnight and on stronger local currency yen. However, losses remained trimmed as Japanese export growth accelerated to a three-month high in November, while imports unexpectedly fell.

Hang Seng rose by 114.82 points 0.58% to 19,815.30, KOSPI Index up by 27.58 points or 1.12% to 2,484.39, Taiwan Weighted increased by 192.00 points or 0.83% to 23,210.01, Shanghai Composite added by 24.15 points or 0.71% to 3,385.64 and FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI lifted by 3.71 points or 0.23% to 1,601.04.

On the flip side, Nikkei 225 down by 198.59 points 0.50% to 39,166.09, Straits Times slipped by 15.63 points 0.41% to 3,784.30, and Jakarta Composite curtailed by 39.82 points or 0.56% to 7,117.91.
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