Asian stock markets traded mostly lower in early Wednesday session as investors tracked regional market sentiment and global cues. Japan’s Nikkei index led losses among major Asian benchmarks, while Taiwan’s market managed to stay in positive territory.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 148.6 points, or 0.58%, to 25,649.25 during early trade. Japan’s Nikkei index declined 700.69 points, or 1.16%, to 59,849.9, marking one of the sharpest drops across regional markets.
Australia’s ASX 200 also traded lower, falling 76.9 points, or 0.89%, to 8,527.8. New Zealand’s NZX 50 slipped 140.05 points, or 1.08%, to 12,834.27.
China’s benchmark Shanghai Composite Index declined 17.181 points, or 0.41%, to 4,152.357, while the Shenzhen Component Index dropped 73.859 points, or 0.47%, to 15,496.048.
South Korea’s Kospi index edged lower by 5.16 points, or 0.07%, to 7,266.5. Singapore’s STI index fell 39.59 points, or 0.78%, to 5,032.75.
Malaysia’s benchmark index traded lower by 8.05 points, or 0.47%, at 1,719.22. The SGX-CNBC China Growth Index also declined 2.256 points, or 0.13%, to 1,708.479.
Among major Asian indices, Taiwan stood out in positive territory, rising 131.28 points, or 0.33%, to 40,306.84 as of 8 AM IST.