S&P futures’ new highs restrict Asian shares

Asian share markets recorded a choppy trading session on Thursday. The subdued performance seen across the region followed after the Federal Reserve decided to keep its ultra-loose policy rates, greatly supporting stock futures in the United States.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was inactive. The index made minimal movements for the week, with Japan’s benchmark index Nikkei plunging 0.3%. Chinese shares, on the other hand, tallied a 0.1% loss.

The Fed remained firm in its decision to continue its bond-buying program as it viewed that the U.S. economy was still lagging behind the target, minutes of the Fed’s last policy meeting showed.

The central bank’s dovish outlook drove yields on 10-year Treasuries back to 1.667%. Analysts at JP Morgan said that this heavily underscored an improving outlook and easing inflation-related expectations.