Asian stock markets closed lower on Tuesday as investors assessed recent economic data and awaited the outcome of the US Federal Reserve meeting.
In Japan, the Nikkei ended down 106.29 points, or 0.39%, at 27,327.11. Nippon Light Metal Holdings saw the largest loss, down 6.31%, followed by Daiichi Sankyo and Resona Holdings, both down over 4%. On the winning side, Chubu Electric Power rose 8.62%, Tokyo Gas 7.30%, and Tokyo Electric Power 3.85%.
In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 closed down 5 points, or 0.07%, at 7,476.70, while the All Ordinaries ended 14.30 points lower, or 0.19%, at 7,686.10. The largest losers were Megaport, Pointsbet Holdings, and Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals, all down over 10%, while Woolworths, Corporate Travel, and Coles Group rose over 2%.
In South Korea, the KOSPI closed down 25.39 points, or 1.04%, at 2,425.08. Hyundai Glovis, KakaoPay, and Kolon Global were among the biggest losers, down over 5%, while Mirae ING, Shinsegae Cons, and Samsung Heavy Industries saw gains of over 10%.
The Shanghai Composite in China closed down 13.65 points, or 0.42%, at 3,255.67. Joyvio Agriculture, Zuojiang Tech, and Biwin Storage Tech saw losses over 11%, while Shenzhen Sunwin Intelligent, GI Technologies Beijing, and Xinjiang Machinery Research Inst rose over 19%.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng closed 227.40 points lower, or 1.03%, at 21,842.33. Nimble, Medinet, and Chongqing Hongjiu Fruit saw losses over 16%, while Chia Tai Enterprises Intl, China Parenting Network, and Sitoy Group Holdings Ltd rose over 40%.
Thailand’s SET closed down 9.76 points, or 0.58%, at 1,671.46. The largest losers were Samart Digital, Tekko, and Polynet, down over 5%, while M Pictures Entertainment, TRC Construction, and Wave Entertainment rose over 15%.