Asian markets ended mostly in green on Friday, with the benchmark indices capping a two-week advance, after reports from US housing to manufacturing showed the world’s largest economy is strengthening. China’s manufacturing activity hit a three-month low in August, raising the case for fresh policy steps to keep growth on track, while a poll showed Japan’s economic recovery is likely to be modest despite a small acceleration in the factory sector. Bank Indonesia will not loosen its monetary policy until the current account deficit narrows to 2.5% of gross domestic product, a level unlikely to be reached until after next year. Bank Indonesia governor Agus Martowardojo stated that the main focus of the central bank next year would be to narrow the current account deficit, which reached 4.27% in the second quarter. In Hong Kong, overall consumer prices rose 4% year-on-year in July, up on June’s 3.6% increase. Netting out the effects of all Government one-off relief measures, the underlying inflation rate was 3.3%, compared to 3.4% in June. Year-on-year increases were recorded for electricity, gas and water, alcohol and tobacco, housing, meals bought away from home, food, transport, and clothing and footwear.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 2240.81 | 10.35 | 0.46 |
Hang Seng | 25112.23 | 118.13 | 0.47 |
Jakarta Composite | 5198.90 | -7.24 | -0.14 |
KLSE Composite | 1870.99 | -3.82 | -0.20 |
Nikkei 225 | 15539.19 | -47.01 | -0.30 |
Straits Times | 3325.50 | 1.41 | 0.04 |
KOSPI Composite | 2056.70 | 12.49 | 0.61 |
Taiwan Weighted | 9380.10 | 126.72 | 1.37 |