Yesterday Asian markets ended lower after big overnight losses on Wall Street and on concerns about European banks. Tokyo's Nikkei index reached its lowest since October. Shanghai Composite saw a massive 4.7% fall in a single day. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index ended up 0.6% and Taiwan's Taiex gained 0.2%.
Asian markets sharply fell on Tuesday with the pessimistic sentiment that the global economic downturn could be lasting longer than expected. Tokyo market ended 1.4% lower, while Shanghai Composite dropped 2.9%, giving up some recent gains. South Korea stocks took a massive 4.1% loss, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index slipped 3.8%.
Asian markets fell yesterday as investors remained sceptical and worried the deteriorating economy would not receive immediate help from the US stimulus plan. Tokyo stocks dropped 3%, led mostly by banks and exporters, as trading resumed after a holiday. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 2.3%, while Shanghai Composite lost 0.6%. The major indexes in Asia are likely to remain on a downward trend today.
Asian markets are expected to be flat today before the US stimulus package is unveiled. Yesterday the major indexes in Asia closed mixed with Shanghai and Hong Kong extended the rising after China's stimulus plan announced last week, while Tokyo and Seoul declined.
Asian shares are set to gain on Monday after a rally on Wall Street last Friday. Japan's Nikkei average is also expected to be buoyed by exporters on a weaker yen. Asian shares rallied across the region Friday with shipping stocks leading for another day and miners rising on hopes that demand for commodities might be picking up. The Shanghai Composite Index rallied 4%, delivering its best performance of the week while China-related shares also lifted the market in Hong Kong.
Asian markets opened higher today after Wall Street's gains. Yesterday Asia's major indexes closed broadly weaker on the further gloomy economic data of the US. Tokyo and Shanghai markets were slightly down while Hong Kong stocks gained 0.9% on hope of Chinese government's support to the mainland shares.
Most Asian markets were hammered Monday over the concerns that the global recession is deepening. Hong Kong shares plunged sharply, even as mainland-Chinese shares gained after the Chinese New Year holidays. In Tokyo, some of Japan's biggest industrial companies fell to multiyear lows. China's Shanghai Composite contrasted other major indexes with 1 per cent surge as agricultural sector was strengthened after the Chinese government announced measures to prevent grain production from falling.
