Most of the Asian equity indices signed off the year 2011 on a positive note on Friday following a positive finish for Wall Street, with US employment and housing data hinting at a strengthening domestic economy. US jobless claims rose but held below the crucial 400,000 level for the fourth straight week, with the number filing for benefits during the past month hitting a three-year low.
Meanwhile, Chinese benchmark Shanghai Composite surged over a percentage point shrugging of the country’s factory activity which shrank in December as demand at home and abroad slackened. The final HSBC purchasing managers' index (PMI) reached 48.7 in December, slightly better than the 47.7 in November but lower than preliminary PMI of 49 released earlier this month, as new orders dropped.
However, Stock markets in Seoul remained closed on account public holiday.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 2,199.42 | 25.86 | 1.19 |
Hang Seng | 18,434.39 | 36.47 | 0.20 |
Jakarta Composite | 3,821.99 | 13.22 | 0.35 |
Nikkei 225 | 8,455.35 | 56.46 | 0.67 |
Straits Times | 2,646.35 | -26.43 | -0.99 |
Taiwan Weighted | 7,072.08 | -2.74 | -0.04 |
Seoul Composite | - | - | - |