Asian markets ended the Friday’s session mostly in the red as investors remained cautious on mixed economic reports and growing worries about Greece’s finances soured investor sentiment. Japanese shares fell to a more than one-week low as a stronger yen dampened investor sentiment and investors braced for the earnings season that begins later this month. Moreover, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index edged lower as investors locked in some profits after a recent rally triggered by inflows from mainland investors. However, Chinese Shanghai edged higher by over two percent as investors continued hunting for riskier assets amid lingering speculation the government will take more measures to bolster economic growth. Investors also drew some solace from a bullish research report by brokerage Shenwan Hongyaun, which predicted that China's stock market will rise further on the back of central government support.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 4,287.30 | 92.47 | 2.20 |
Hang Seng | 27,653.12 | -86.59 | -0.31 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,410.64 | -10.09 | -0.19 |
KLSE Composite | 1,845.86 | -2.08 | -0.11 |
Nikkei 225 | 19,652.88 | -232.89 | -1.17 |
Straits Times | 3,525.19 | -6.42 | -0.18 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,143.50 | 3.60 | 0.17 |
Taiwan Weighted | 9,570.93 | -85.94 | -0.89 |