Asian markets mostly higher as Jackson Hole in focus
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- Asian stock markets were mostly higher on Thursday as investors brushed off worries about the U.S. political uncertainty while waiting for the upcoming speeches by the world's top central bankers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
KEEPING SCORE: foresee no major Japan's Nikkei 225 policy changes but a slipped 0.1 percent to surprise announcement 19,408.80 but South cannot be ruled out. Korea's Kospi rose 0.4 The Federal Reserve is percent to 2,375.74. raising interest rates Hong Kong's Hang and is preparing to Seng index advanced pare back the $4.5 trillion 0.5 percent to it holds on its 27,538.84 and Shanghai balance sheet. Composite Index US POLI TI CS was flat at 3,288.24. WATCH: In a speech Australia's S&P ASX late Tuesday, President 200 added 0.3 percent Donald Trump said to 5,751.80. that "if we have to
FED WATCH: Federal close down our government, Reserve Chair we're building Janet Yellen and other that wall" that he central bankers will wants on the border assess the global between Mexico and economy at this the United States. He week's annual conference also said that he thinks in Jackson Hole, the U.S. government Wyoming. Yellen and will "end up probably European Central terminating" the North Bank President Mario American Free Trade Draghi are due to Agreement with speak on Friday. Analysts Canada and Mexico, though he also said that he has yet to make up his mind. The latest remarks by the president came as the concern is growing whether the government can push through pro-business policies.
ANALYST'S TAKE: "President Trump's threat to shut down the U.S. government unless Congress agrees to fund the building of a wall on the Mexican border rattled investor nerves overnight," sai d M i chael McCarthy, chief market strategist at CMC Markets. "An absence of macro data and calm currency markets indicate company profit results will once again dominate trading."
WALL STREET: U.S. stock markets finished lower on Wednesday. The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 0.3 percent to 2,444.04. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 0.4 percent to 21,812.09 and the Nasdaq composite lost 0.3 percent to 6,278.41. The Russell 2000 index of smallcap stocks fell 0.1 percent to 1,369.74.
OIL: Benchmark U.S. crude oil fell 6 cents to $48.35 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract rose 58 cents to settle at $48.41 per barrel on Wednesday. Brent crude, the international standard, lost 2 cents to 52.55 per barrel in London. On Wednesday, it rose 70 cents to $52.57 per barrel.
CURRENCIES: The dollar fell to 109.22 Japanese yen from 109.04 yen. The euro slipped to $1.1801 from $1.1810.