Asia Pacific blue chips shares mostly declined on Tuesday, 27 October
2015, as investors booked recent gains on caution ahead of three central
bank meetings plus a number of important economic data later in the
week.
The Federal Reserve meets later today and tomorrow in the second-last policy meeting for 2015 which will be most closely watched. While it is widely anticipated that the Fed would stand on the sideline this month, investors are interested in seeing policymakers' outlook on economic growth and guidance for future tightening. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) meeting due Thursday would also bring no change in the monetary decision despite persistent decline in commodity prices and a softer set of economic data for New Zealand. The Bank of Japan (BoJ) meeting due on Friday will also closely watch amid speculation of additional stimulus to counter a downturn in the world's third largest economy.
Meanwhile, UK and US will release GDP data on Tuesday and Thursday respectively. Markets have been pushing back expectation of rate hike from BoE and Fed and any change in the economic outlook will have further impact on the expectations. Inflation data form Eurozone, Japan and Australia would be released throughout the week.
Among Asian bourses
Nikkei falls 0.9% on profit booking
The Japanese share market retreated from Monday's near two-month closing high, as investors opted to lock in gains before central bank meetings in the United States and Japan later this week, as well as a rush of company earnings. Total 31 TSE first-section sector sub-indexes ended down, with Oil & Coal Products, Iron & Steel, Mining, Insurance, Marine Transportation and Nonferrous Metals issues being major losers. The Nikkei Stock Average declined 170.08 points, or 0.9%, to end at 18777.04 points. The broader Topix index lost 1.02%, or 15.88 points, to 1543.11 at the close.
Australian market loses ground
The Australian share market ended softer for second consecutive session after fluctuating between gains and losses, amid caution ahead of three central bank meetings plus a number of important economic data. Shares of energy and material sectors were top losers in the ASX, while healthcare, consumer staple and consumer discretionary issues being major gainers. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index declined 1.80 points, or 0.03%, to 5346.20 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index sank 1.70 points, or 0.03%, to 5384.60 points.
China market raises to two month high
The Mainland China stocks ended at two-month high after recouping intraday losses late afternoon, with shares of technology, industrial and consumer goods companies being major gainers and helped to overshadow losses in commodity related stocks. The Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.14%, or 4.76 points, to close at 3434.34 points, the highest level since Aug. 21, when index closed at 3507.74. The Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, grew 0.65%, or 13.30 points, to 2043.78. The ChiNext Index, which tracks China's NASDAQ-style board of growth enterprises, rose 1.44%, or 36.48 points, to close at 2563.96.
Hong Kong market ups in cautious trade
Hong Kong stock market closed higher in cautious trade, ahead of Fed's rate-decision meeting, with retailer stocks leading advances. The benchmark Hang Seng Index rose 26.48 points, or 0.11%, to 23142.73 points. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index, benchmark measure of performance of mainland China enterprises, fell 32.89 points, or 0.31%, to 10714.79 points. Turnover reduced to HK$69 billion from HK$72.8 billion on Monday.
Sensex ends down
Indian stock market closed in red as sentiment remained cautious ahead of the US Federal Reserve's two-day policy meet scheduled later in the day. Quarterly results and the expiry of monthly derivative contracts on Thursday also affected market sentiments. Sensex closed 108.52 points, or 0.40%, down at 27253.44 while Nifty closed 32.95 points, or 0.40%, down at 8,227.60.
Elsewhere in the Asia Pacific region: Taiwan's Taiex index declined 0.5% to 8701.32. South Korea's KOPSI fell 0.2% to 2044.65. Singapore's Straits Times index slipped 1% at 3052.53. Indonesia's Jakarta Composite index sank 0.4% to 4674.06. Malaysia's KLCI fell 0.6% to 1696.95. New Zealand's NZX50 gained 0.5% to 6001.
The Federal Reserve meets later today and tomorrow in the second-last policy meeting for 2015 which will be most closely watched. While it is widely anticipated that the Fed would stand on the sideline this month, investors are interested in seeing policymakers' outlook on economic growth and guidance for future tightening. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) meeting due Thursday would also bring no change in the monetary decision despite persistent decline in commodity prices and a softer set of economic data for New Zealand. The Bank of Japan (BoJ) meeting due on Friday will also closely watch amid speculation of additional stimulus to counter a downturn in the world's third largest economy.
Meanwhile, UK and US will release GDP data on Tuesday and Thursday respectively. Markets have been pushing back expectation of rate hike from BoE and Fed and any change in the economic outlook will have further impact on the expectations. Inflation data form Eurozone, Japan and Australia would be released throughout the week.
Among Asian bourses
Nikkei falls 0.9% on profit booking
The Japanese share market retreated from Monday's near two-month closing high, as investors opted to lock in gains before central bank meetings in the United States and Japan later this week, as well as a rush of company earnings. Total 31 TSE first-section sector sub-indexes ended down, with Oil & Coal Products, Iron & Steel, Mining, Insurance, Marine Transportation and Nonferrous Metals issues being major losers. The Nikkei Stock Average declined 170.08 points, or 0.9%, to end at 18777.04 points. The broader Topix index lost 1.02%, or 15.88 points, to 1543.11 at the close.
Australian market loses ground
The Australian share market ended softer for second consecutive session after fluctuating between gains and losses, amid caution ahead of three central bank meetings plus a number of important economic data. Shares of energy and material sectors were top losers in the ASX, while healthcare, consumer staple and consumer discretionary issues being major gainers. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index declined 1.80 points, or 0.03%, to 5346.20 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index sank 1.70 points, or 0.03%, to 5384.60 points.
China market raises to two month high
The Mainland China stocks ended at two-month high after recouping intraday losses late afternoon, with shares of technology, industrial and consumer goods companies being major gainers and helped to overshadow losses in commodity related stocks. The Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.14%, or 4.76 points, to close at 3434.34 points, the highest level since Aug. 21, when index closed at 3507.74. The Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, grew 0.65%, or 13.30 points, to 2043.78. The ChiNext Index, which tracks China's NASDAQ-style board of growth enterprises, rose 1.44%, or 36.48 points, to close at 2563.96.
Hong Kong market ups in cautious trade
Hong Kong stock market closed higher in cautious trade, ahead of Fed's rate-decision meeting, with retailer stocks leading advances. The benchmark Hang Seng Index rose 26.48 points, or 0.11%, to 23142.73 points. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index, benchmark measure of performance of mainland China enterprises, fell 32.89 points, or 0.31%, to 10714.79 points. Turnover reduced to HK$69 billion from HK$72.8 billion on Monday.
Sensex ends down
Indian stock market closed in red as sentiment remained cautious ahead of the US Federal Reserve's two-day policy meet scheduled later in the day. Quarterly results and the expiry of monthly derivative contracts on Thursday also affected market sentiments. Sensex closed 108.52 points, or 0.40%, down at 27253.44 while Nifty closed 32.95 points, or 0.40%, down at 8,227.60.
Elsewhere in the Asia Pacific region: Taiwan's Taiex index declined 0.5% to 8701.32. South Korea's KOPSI fell 0.2% to 2044.65. Singapore's Straits Times index slipped 1% at 3052.53. Indonesia's Jakarta Composite index sank 0.4% to 4674.06. Malaysia's KLCI fell 0.6% to 1696.95. New Zealand's NZX50 gained 0.5% to 6001.
