Most Asian Markets Down Ahead of Bank of Japan Decision
Asia-Pacific markets fell on Thursday as investors eyed the Bank of Japan’s interest rate decision, as well as key business activity figures from China.
Economists polled by Reuters expect the BOJ to keep interest rates at 0.25%, though the statement will be scrutinized for clues on the timing of its next rate hike.
In China, the National Bureau of Statistics will release the country’s official purchasing managers’ index figures for September, with the manufacturing PMI forecast at 49.9, a weaker contraction than the previous month’s 49.8.
However, it would be the sixth straight month of contraction for the country’s manufacturing sector.
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 0.33%, while the broader Topix fell 0.36%.
South Korea’s Kospi fell 1.33%, leading decliners in Asia, while the small-cap Kosdaq dropped 1.25%. Investors will be watching Samsung Electronics’ third-quarter earnings, expected to be released later Thursday.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 started the day down 0.2%.
However, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng futures were at 20,511, indicating a stronger open than the HSI’s close of 20,380.64.
Source: CNBC
