What's Affecting Markets Today
Asian Markets wait for FED
Asia-Pacific markets opened mixed on Wednesday, following Wall Street gains where both the S&P 500 and Dow Jones hit new highs. Investors are focused on the Federal Reserve’s upcoming rate decision and economic data from Japan. Bank Indonesia’s rate decision is also expected later today.
Japan reported weaker-than-expected August trade figures, with imports rising 2.3% and exports up 5.6%, both missing Reuters estimates. Additionally, machinery orders in July declined by 0.1%, missing the forecast for a 0.5% increase.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained 0.74%, and the Topix rose 0.48%. Mainland China’s CSI 300 was nearly flat after closing at its lowest level since January 2019 last week, while Taiwan’s Weighted Index fell 0.35%.
South Korea and Hong Kong markets are closed for the day, and mainland Chinese markets resumed trading after a three-day holiday.
Bank Indonesia’s policy rate, at its highest level since 2016, remains in focus as inflation stays within the central bank’s 1.5%-3.5% target.
ASX Stocks
ASX 200 - 8,130.2 (-0.1%)
Key Highlights:
Leaders
NHC New Hope Corporation Ltd (+5.32%)
OPT Opthea Ltd (+4.76%)
ZIM Zimplats Holdings Ltd (+4.14%)
EVT EVT Ltd (+3.89%)
ASB Austal Ltd (+3.88%)
Laggards
BOT Botanix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (-3.70%)
TLX Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (-3.46%)
A2M The a2 Milk Company Ltd (-3.33%)
JBH JB Hi-Fi Ltd (-2.96%)
NEU Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (-2.71%)
