Equities

Asian stock markets closed in negative territory amid concerns over the Evergrande debt crisis.

The ASX 200 (-0.1%) fell amid gains in the financial sector offset by declines in the commodity-related sector.

The Nikkei 225 (-0.6%) following the recent strengthening of the JPY affected the export sector.

Hang Seng (-1.1%) while Shanghai Composite (-0.9%) amid concerns of ongoing developer payment failures as Evergrande nears the end of a 30-day grace period for unpaid coupon payments totaling USD 148.1 million that expires today.

Commodities

Crude oil prices traded above $ 83 a barrel on Wednesday after preliminary data showed a fall in U.S. crude stocks last week coupled with increased demand as global travel was already allowed.

Strong gold prices hovered around the $ 1,825 level amid expectations of a surge in inflation coupled with mixed signals from policymakers.

Forex

The US dollar recovered around the 94.00 level as investors were cautious ahead of US inflation data, which could signal a period of interest rate hikes.

AUD & NZD slumped amid gloomy market sentiment as concerns over the Evergrande debt crisis resurfaced as the company approached the end of a 30-day grace period for unpaid coupon payments totaling USD 148.1 million which expired today.

Meanwhile, risk-off sentiment in the Asian session has benefited safe-haven currencies such as JPY & CHF.