Upbeat US data pulls Asian markets higher

21 Dec 2011 Evaluate

Asian stock markets rose, joining a US and European rally on positive economic data from the United States and Germany and shaking off jitters over the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. The US Commerce Department reported unexpectedly strong November home starts at their highest level since April 2010 and up 9.3 percent from October.  Investors’ confidence also surged after Spain’s government borrowing costs fell in a weekly debt auction.

Taiwan Weighted recorded the region’s biggest gains, zoomed over four and half a percent to 6,966.48 a day after the government said it will make use of a fund to restrict stock market losses resulting from sliding global markets. However, mainland Chinese stocks surrendered early gains to finish lower on concerns about the nation’s slowing economic engine, and as Ping An Insurance Group tumbled on equity-dilution worries after announcing a fund-raising plan.

Asian Indices

Last Trade

Change in Points

Change in %

Shanghai Composite

2,191.15

-24.78

-1.12

Hang Seng

18,416.45

336.25

1.86

Jakarta Composite

3,794.27

41.93

1.12

Nikkei 225

8,459.98

123.50

1.48

Straits Times

2,673.32

58.87

2.25

Seoul Composite

1,848.41

55.35

3.09

Taiwan Weighted

6,966.48

303.84

4.56

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