Asian stocks mostly close lower, eyeing US interest rates

Asian stock markets closed mostly lower on Thursday (2), after new signs of inflation in the US reinforce expectations that US interest rates will remain at high levels for longer than previously thought.

Leading the losses in Asia, the Hang Seng index fell 0.92% in Hong Kong, to 20,429.46 points, while the Japanese Nikkei had a slight retreat of 0.06% in Tokyo, to 27,498.87 points.

In mainland China, the Shanghai Composite fell 0.05%, to 3,310.65 points, and the less comprehensive Shenzhen Composite had a loss of 0.52%, to 2,152.64 points.

On the other hand, the South Korean Kospi advanced 0.62% in Seoul, at 2,427.85 points, on the return of a national holiday. Taiex, on the other hand, was stable in Taiwan, at 15,598.72 points.

On Wednesday, New York stock exchanges were under pressure and closed mixed after an ISM survey showed that prices paid by manufacturers in the US rose in February for the first time in five months.

This led operators to increase bets that basic interest rates in the world’s largest economy will reach a level close to 6% by the end of the year.

Oceania

In Oceania, the Australian stock exchange was in the blue this Thursday, but close to stability. The S&P/ASX 200 posted a slight gain of 0.05% in Sydney, at 7,255.40 points.

Source: CNN Brasil

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