Asian markets settle mostly higher on Wednesday
A White House official said that a second round of U.S.-Iran negotiations are being considered, though no official schedule has been set
Asian markets ended mostly higher on Wednesday following positive cues from the US markets overnight amid rising hopes of a diplomatic solution to the Middle East conflict. A White House official said that a second round of U.S.-Iran negotiations are being considered, though no official schedule has been set. China and Hong Kong markets ended higher after a private report said that China’s finance ministry indicated that it will issue 15.5 billion yuan-denominated treasury bonds in Hong Kong on April 22. However, some cautiousness prevailed in the markets as the U.S. blockade targeting Iranian ports could pressure remaining flows, with Washington reporting that several vessels had already turned back in the first 24 hours, even as transit via non-Iranian ports continues.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 4,027.21 | 0.58 | 0.01 |
| Hang Seng | 25,947.32 | 75 | 0.29 |
| Jakarta Composite | 7,623.59 | -52.36 | -0.69 |
| KLSE Composite | 1,683.42 | -4.7 | -0.28 |
| Nikkei 225 | 58,134.24 | 256.85 | 0.44 |
| Straits Times | 5,021.2 | 13.63 | 0.27 |
| KOSPI Composite | 6,091.39 | 123.64 | 2.07 |
| Taiwan Weighted | 36,722.14 | 426.02 | 1.17 |
