The Asian indices reversing their last session’s performance, ended mostly in green on Friday. While the Chinese markets declined on profit taking, the Japanese market surged keeping the spirit high throughout the day, tracking the overnight gains in the US markets. The equity indices in the region were optimistic about the monthly US jobs data, which is likely to show an increase of about 230,000 jobs in January following the addition of 252,000 jobs in December. Japanese shares were additionally jubilant as oil prices steadied and Greece reassured investors that its banks will retain funding access. On the economic front, Japan's official reserve assets increased by $555 million month-over-month to $1,261.103 billion in January.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,075.91 | -60.62 | -1.93 |
Hang Seng | 24,679.39 | -86.10 | -0.35 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,342.52 | 62.62 | 1.19 |
KLSE Composite | 1,813.25 | 10.04 | 0.56 |
Nikkei 225 | 17,648.50 | 143.88 | 0.82 |
Straits Times | 3,431.36 | 24.78 | 0.73 |
KOSPI Composite | 1,955.52 | 2.68 | 0.14 |
Taiwan Weighted | 9,456.18 | -55.87 | -0.59 |