Most Asian equities trade with positive bias; factory PMI data eyed

01 Mar 2012 Evaluate

Majority of equity indices in the Asian region traded on a positive note though with minor gains as investors remained cautious after Fed Chairman Bernanke signaled that US economy grew at a modest to moderate pace in January and early February, reflecting slight improvement. However, sentiments got dampened as Fed Chairman refrained from employing quantitative easing measures, stating as long as US economy continues to show signs of improvement, there is no need for QE3. Meanwhile, reports that European Central Bank injected more than $700 billion to around 800 banks in the Europe in three-year loans, in order to help stabilize the region’s troubled finances, supported investors’ mood.

The encouraging Chinese and Taiwanese manufacturing PMI reports which indicated that factory activity expanded in February lifted sentiments in the region. However, the benchmarks in Indonesia and Hong Kong failed to gain momentum and reeled under selling pressure with about half a percent losses.

Shanghai Composite gained 2.84 points or 0.12% to 2,431.33, KLSE Composite added 5.39 points or 0.34% to 1,575.04, Nikkei 225 rose 32.71 points or 0.34% to 9,755.95, Straits Times increased 3.98 points or 0.13% to 2,998.04 and Taiwan Weighted moved up 11.80 points or 0.15% to 8,133.24.

On the other hand, Hang Seng slipped 92.97 points or 0.43% to 21,587.11 and Jakarta Composite shed 15.14 points or 0.38% to 3,970.07.

Stock markets in South Korea remained closed on Thursday in observance of Independence (Declaration) Day.

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