Asian markets mostly dropped on Wednesday. Resources shares across the region were hit by falling metals prices. Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 1.5 per cent, South Korea's Kospi shed 1.0 per cent and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index lost 0.8 per cent. The markets also weighed down by U.S. consumer confidence and German business sentiment. But China's Shanghai Composite rebounded 1.3 per cent as monetary tightening worries eased.
Yesterday Asian markets ended mixed. Japan's Nikkei index was 0.5 per cent lower due to profit-taking after the previous day's sharp gains. China's Shanghai Composite lost 0.9 per cent led by financials on concerns over banks' fundraising plans. Hong Kong shares, however, was pushed higher by property sector stocks.
In Asia, China's unexpected announcement that it will increase the reserve-requirement ratio would fuel worries over the global economy recovery, but thin trading is expected today as most markets including mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, South Korea and Singapore will be closed for Lunar New Year holiday. Japan's exporters will be supported by weaker yen. Japan's gross domestic product data, released by the Cabinet Office on Monday, showed that the country's economy grew at a faster than expected pace in the October-December quarter.
Asian markets were higher Thursday. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index gained 1.9 per cent and South Korea's Kospi advanced 1.8 per cent. China's Shanghai Composite closed flat with thin trade ahead of the upcoming Lunar New Year, despite a slower than CPI growth eased worries of rate increase.
Asian markets closed mostly higher on Wednesday as materials shares were boosted by strong commodities prices. Japan's Nikkei average rose 0.3 percent as exporters gained on strong U.S. data and weakness in yen against greenback. But the rises were pulled back by a drop in shares of Toyota Motor Corp after its recall woes hit its sales. South Korea's Kospi added 1.2%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 2.2% and China's Shanghai Composite gained 2.4%.
Asian shares were lifted on Tuesday after strong U.S. manufacturing data. Japan's Nikkei index ended 1.63 percent higher, after Toyota's plans to fix millions of vehicles equipped with faulty accelerators in North America and Europe. Australian shares climbed as metals prices rose, but Australian dollar was pulled down by RBA's unexpected decision to keep interest rate unchanged.
The Australian share market shrugged off the concerns over US investment bank JPMorgan and closed slightly higher on Monday. Australian banks rose as the upbeat mood continued in this session after Commonwealth Bank's profit upgrade on Friday. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index advanced 11.5 points, or 0.23 per cent, to 4,911.1 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index gained 6.6 points, or 0.13 per cent, to 4,936.1 points.
