Asian stocks closed mostly higher on Thursday (3), following the positive performance of New York, after the chairman of the Federal Reserve (Fed, the US central bank) defended a more moderate interest rate hike.
In China, on the other hand, markets were in the red after weak service sector activity data.
Japan’s Nikkei index rose 0.70% in Tokyo to 26,577.27 points, while the Hang Seng index rose 0.55% in Hong Kong to 22,467.34 points.
South Korean Kospi gained 1.61% in Seoul, at 2,747.08 points, and Taiex registered a 0.37% increase in Taiwan, at 17,934.40 points.
In mainland China, the Shanghai Composite slipped 0.09% on Thursday to 3,481.11 points, and the less comprehensive Shenzhen Composite dropped 0.83% to 2,294.08 points, after a survey by IHS Markit and Caixin Media showed Chinese services PMI fell in February to 50.2, the lowest level in six months.
In Oceania, the Australian stock exchange followed the positive tone of Asia and New York, and the S&P/ASX 200 advanced 0.49% in Sydney, at 7,154.40 points.
Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said he will propose a 25 basis point rate hike at the central bank’s monetary policy meeting in mid-March, a factor that helped boost New York stock markets yesterday.
Many investors feared a more aggressive increase in the US base rate of 50 basis points.
Investors in Asia and the Pacific also continue to monitor the war between Russia and Ukraine. On Wednesday (2), the two sides expressed their willingness to resume negotiations later this week.
Source: CNN Brasil
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