Asia Pacific share market closed mixed on Tuesday, 20 October 2015, as
lack of supporting cues from Wall Street overnight, fall in commodity
prices and ahead of key economic events prompted trader to take out some
gains off the table. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index slipped 0.1% to
133.98. The gauge surged 8.3% this month through Monday.
Crude oil prices fell due to comments from Iran about raising its production, and on worries of slower economic growth in China. Brent crude was up 0.6% at $48.91 in early Asia trade. It slid to as low as $48.52 overnight.
Investors were largely adopted a cautious approach before key policy meetings of developed country central banks. The European Central Bank's policy meeting is scheduled this Thursday, followed by the US Federal Reserve's policy review on October 27-28 and the Bank of Japan's policy meeting on October 30.
Among Asian bourses
Nikkei rises 0.42%
The Japanese share market ended higher, recouping almost half of yesterday's losses, as halt in yen appreciation and calming fears about China's economy hard landing lifted up risk sentiments. But, gains were limited, as investors remained cautious before key events expected through this week until month-end. Total 18 out of 33 TSE first-section sector sub-indexes ended up, with Insurance, Textiles & Apparels, Wholesale Trade, and Pharmaceutical issues being major gainers, however, Real Estate, Electric Power & Gas, Construction, and Oil & Coal Products issues being top losers. The Nikkei Stock Average added 75.92 points, or 0.42%, to end at 18207.15 points, meanwhile the broader Topix index added 0.3%, or 4.53 points, to 1499.28 at the close.
Australian market softens
The Australian share market ended down, due to selloff in the big banks, miners and energy producers amid losses in commodity prices and government's response to the financial system inquiry. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index fell 34.10 points, or 0.65%, to 5235.60 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index slipped 33 points, or 0.62%, to 5271.60 points.
The banks and financial stocks were down, as investors lightened their holdings after the federal government called on them to retain additional funds to ensure the financial system remains resilient during difficult times. Commonwealth Bank of Australia lost 0.9% to A$75.73, Westpac Banking Corp fell 1.6% to A$30.85, National Australia Bank shed 0.6% to A$31.76 and ANZ Banking Group fell 1.6% to A$28.40.
Small-cap stocks buoy up China market
The Mainland China stocks ended stronger, on the back of sharp gains in mid-cap and small-cap stocks in late hour, as better-than-expected third-quarter economic growth of 6.9% eased angst about a hard landing and offered some evidence of success in Chinese economic restructuring. The Shanghai Composite Index advanced 1.14%, or 38.63 points, to close at 3425.33 points. The Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, grew 1.97%, or 38.84 points, to 2008.48. The ChiNext Index, which tracks China's NASDAQ-style board of growth enterprises, added 3.19%, or 77.57 points, to close at 2511.16.
Hong Kong market falls on profit-taking
Hong Kong stock market ended softer in volatile trade, as traders booked profit ahead of a public holiday tomorrow. All main sectors lost ground commodity-related stocks were hit hard on lingering worries about China's economic health. The benchmark index opened down 84 points and fell as much as 232 points at one stage in afternoon session. The Hang Seng Index declined 86.39 points, or 0.37%, to 22989.22 points. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index, benchmark measure of performance of mainland China enterprises, lost 82.92 points, or 0.62%, to 13204.34 points. Turnover reduced to HK$65.7 billion from HK$67.3 billion on Monday. The local market closes on Wednesday for a public holiday.
Indian market ends down
Indian stock market snapped three-day winning streak today on the back of selling in frontline blue chip counters. Sensex closed 58.09 points down at 27306.83. Nifty closed 13.40 points down at 8,261.65.
Market sentiments remained under pressure after global rating agency Standard and Poor's ruled out any rating upgrade for India, though it said that improvement in policy making have raised the country's prospect for economic and fiscal performance.
Elsewhere in the Asia Pacific region: Taiwan's Taiex index was up 0.3% to 8653.60. South Korea's KOPSI rose 0.5% to 2039.36. New Zealand's NZX50 climbed up 1% to 5895.49. Singapore's Straits Times index fell 0.2% at 3019. Indonesia's Jakarta Composite index was up 0.4% to 4585.82. Malaysia's KLCI rose 0.8% to 1705.
Crude oil prices fell due to comments from Iran about raising its production, and on worries of slower economic growth in China. Brent crude was up 0.6% at $48.91 in early Asia trade. It slid to as low as $48.52 overnight.
Investors were largely adopted a cautious approach before key policy meetings of developed country central banks. The European Central Bank's policy meeting is scheduled this Thursday, followed by the US Federal Reserve's policy review on October 27-28 and the Bank of Japan's policy meeting on October 30.
Among Asian bourses
Nikkei rises 0.42%
The Japanese share market ended higher, recouping almost half of yesterday's losses, as halt in yen appreciation and calming fears about China's economy hard landing lifted up risk sentiments. But, gains were limited, as investors remained cautious before key events expected through this week until month-end. Total 18 out of 33 TSE first-section sector sub-indexes ended up, with Insurance, Textiles & Apparels, Wholesale Trade, and Pharmaceutical issues being major gainers, however, Real Estate, Electric Power & Gas, Construction, and Oil & Coal Products issues being top losers. The Nikkei Stock Average added 75.92 points, or 0.42%, to end at 18207.15 points, meanwhile the broader Topix index added 0.3%, or 4.53 points, to 1499.28 at the close.
Australian market softens
The Australian share market ended down, due to selloff in the big banks, miners and energy producers amid losses in commodity prices and government's response to the financial system inquiry. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index fell 34.10 points, or 0.65%, to 5235.60 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index slipped 33 points, or 0.62%, to 5271.60 points.
The banks and financial stocks were down, as investors lightened their holdings after the federal government called on them to retain additional funds to ensure the financial system remains resilient during difficult times. Commonwealth Bank of Australia lost 0.9% to A$75.73, Westpac Banking Corp fell 1.6% to A$30.85, National Australia Bank shed 0.6% to A$31.76 and ANZ Banking Group fell 1.6% to A$28.40.
Small-cap stocks buoy up China market
The Mainland China stocks ended stronger, on the back of sharp gains in mid-cap and small-cap stocks in late hour, as better-than-expected third-quarter economic growth of 6.9% eased angst about a hard landing and offered some evidence of success in Chinese economic restructuring. The Shanghai Composite Index advanced 1.14%, or 38.63 points, to close at 3425.33 points. The Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, grew 1.97%, or 38.84 points, to 2008.48. The ChiNext Index, which tracks China's NASDAQ-style board of growth enterprises, added 3.19%, or 77.57 points, to close at 2511.16.
Hong Kong market falls on profit-taking
Hong Kong stock market ended softer in volatile trade, as traders booked profit ahead of a public holiday tomorrow. All main sectors lost ground commodity-related stocks were hit hard on lingering worries about China's economic health. The benchmark index opened down 84 points and fell as much as 232 points at one stage in afternoon session. The Hang Seng Index declined 86.39 points, or 0.37%, to 22989.22 points. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index, benchmark measure of performance of mainland China enterprises, lost 82.92 points, or 0.62%, to 13204.34 points. Turnover reduced to HK$65.7 billion from HK$67.3 billion on Monday. The local market closes on Wednesday for a public holiday.
Indian market ends down
Indian stock market snapped three-day winning streak today on the back of selling in frontline blue chip counters. Sensex closed 58.09 points down at 27306.83. Nifty closed 13.40 points down at 8,261.65.
Market sentiments remained under pressure after global rating agency Standard and Poor's ruled out any rating upgrade for India, though it said that improvement in policy making have raised the country's prospect for economic and fiscal performance.
Elsewhere in the Asia Pacific region: Taiwan's Taiex index was up 0.3% to 8653.60. South Korea's KOPSI rose 0.5% to 2039.36. New Zealand's NZX50 climbed up 1% to 5895.49. Singapore's Straits Times index fell 0.2% at 3019. Indonesia's Jakarta Composite index was up 0.4% to 4585.82. Malaysia's KLCI rose 0.8% to 1705.
