Asian markets ended higher on Friday, as better-than-expected Chinese economic data helped outweigh news of a horrific terrorist attack in Nice, France, which killed at least 84 people and wounded dozens of innocent civilians. Markets also took the Bank of England's surprise decision to keep rates on hold in their stride. Meanwhile, China's industrial output strengthened in June, retail sales rose at a faster pace, a broadest measure of new credit rose more than expected and GDP growth held steady at 6.7 percent in the second quarter on the back of Beijing's aggressive stimulus measures, helping ease worries about the country's economic slowdown. Japanese shares rose, with an extended rally on Wall Street, a weakening yen and Line Corp's strong debut in New York and Tokyo bolstering investor sentiment. The yen fell broadly to hit a three-week low versus the dollar. Though, Chinese shares ended unchanged as the latest data dented hopes of additional stimulus.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,054.30 | 0.28 | 0.01 |
Hang Seng | 21,659.25 | 98.19 | 0.46 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,110.18 | 26.64 | 0.52 |
KLSE Composite | 1,668.40 | 13.62 | 0.82 |
Nikkei 225 | 16,497.85 | 111.96 | 0.68 |
Straits Times | 2,925.35 | 18.43 | 0.63 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,017.26 | 8.49 | 0.42 |
Taiwan Weighted | 8,949.85 | 83.49 | 0.94 |