Indonesia's key stock index hit a near four-week closing high on Wednesday amid optimism about central bank measures to ease lending requirements while Thai construction shares gained after the government unveiled plans on key infrastructure projects. Jakarta composite index rose 0.4 percent to 5,292.75, the highest close since April 24. Indonesia's central bank said on Tuesday it would support economic growth by loosening some lending requirements for banks.
Bank Rakyat Indonesia and conglomerate Astra International led among gainers. The Thai SET index was down 0.4 percent as investors sold banking shares weighing in the impact of interest rate cuts on net interest margins. Builders outperformed, including Chaudhry Karnchang, after Transport Minister Prajin Juntong set a timeline on construction of key projects, including dual track trains worth 300 billion baht ($8.94 billion) which will start in the fourth quarter. The region ended mixed in a rangebound trade as investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of the release of the minutes of the Federal Reserve's policy meet expected later in the day.