Encouraging Chinese factory data helps Asian equities extend positive run

02 Apr 2012 Evaluate

Stock markets across the Asian region started the first trading session of April month largely on a positive note after registering the one of the biggest quarterly gains since 2010 and are currently holding on to the gains. Sentiments in the region got bolstered after reports showed Chinese manufacturing gained momentum for a fourth straight month in March, helped by a recovery in the vehicle, tobacco and electronics sectors. The better than anticipated Chinese factory reading alleviated market participants’ worries over the world’s second largest economy’s hard landing. Besides, the over the weekend reports of rebound in US consumer sentiment to its highest levels in 13 months in March too buttressed sentiments.

The benchmark in Japan halted a three session declining run on Monday and climbed by one third of a percent despite a worse than expected Japanese business outlook survey showing large manufacturers' business sentiment index remained unchanged at -4 in March. The markets in Hong Kong and Taiwan though bucked the optimistic trend prevailing in other equity indices in the Asian region and traded with notable losses.

Meanwhile, markets in mainland China will remain closed for a three day public holiday starting Monday on account of Qingming Festival and will reopen on Thursday. Stock markets in Hong Kong will remain closed on Wednesday and Friday.

Jakarta Composite ascended 21.29 points or 0.52% to 4,142.84, KLSE Composite gained 0.44 points or 0.03% to 1,596.77, Nikkei 225 climbed 80.03 points or 0.79% to 10,163.59, Straits Times rose 3.37 points or 0.11% to 3,013.83 and Seoul Composite advanced 4.83 points or 0.24% to 2,018.87.

On the other hand, Hang Seng dropped 100.10 points or 0.49% to 20,455.48 and Taiwan Weighted declined 63.56 points or 0.80% to 7,869.44.

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