Greece hopes pull Asian markets higher

27 Jan 2012 Evaluate

Asian markets rose Friday on tentative hopes that Greece will be able to agree a deal with creditors on writing down some of its debt, although gains were capped by underwhelming US economic figures. Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos and Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos on Thursday resumed talks with banks and insurers on a major write-down to help the troubled country escape a devastating default. The discussions aim to reach agreement on a voluntary exchange of bonds that would wipe 100 billion euros ($130 billion) off the country’s debt of 350 billion euros. While US stocks slipped overnight after the government reported an unexpected drop in new home sales in December, capping the worst year for home sales since record-keeping began in 1963.

Hong Kong stocks rose for a sixth straight session day on the back of banking and telecommunication shares, while Japanese equities were weighed down by weak earnings reports from Nintendo and NEC.

Hang Seng was up 62.53 points or 0.31% to 20,501.67, Jakarta Composite was up 2.98 points or 0.07% to 3,986.41, Straits Times was up 21.83 points or 0.75% to 2,916.26 and Seoul Composite was up by 7.65 points or 0.39% to 1,964.83.

On the flip side, Nikkei 225 was down by 8.25 points or 0.09% to 8,841.22.

Stock markets in China and Taiwan remained closed on Friday in observance of Lunar New Year holiday.

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