Asian stock markets post mixed figures

By Gokhan Ergocun

ISTANBUL (AA) - A mixed course was observed in Asian stock markets on Tuesday amid uncertainties related to central banks' decisions.

The cautious course in global equity markets, which was followed by the ongoing uncertainties about when the Fed will start cutting interest rates, was also carried to Asia.

The inflation data released in Japan on Tuesday came in above expectations, raising expectations that the Bank of Japan (BoJ) may end its negative interest rate policy in the coming months.

The annual inflation in Japan was at 2.2% annually in January.

The Nikkei 225 index in Japan ended the day at 39,239 points just above its previous close, while the dollar/yen parity is trading at 150.5 with a 0.1% decrease.

Today, the Kospi index in South Korea fell 0.83% to 2,625 points. The Shanghai Composite Index in China increased by 0.7% to 2,995 points.

The Sensex index in India is at 72,890 points with a 0.1% gain, while the Hang Seng index in Hong Kong is at 16,590 points with a 0.3% loss.