The Asian markets ended mostly higher on Friday, boosted by central banks' decision to continue their easy-money policies. Further, encouraging data from China and Japan too supported market sentiment. Reports showed that a gauge of Chinese business investment improved in September, suggesting strengthening confidence among manufacturing companies. The MNI business sentiment index stood at 55.8 in September, up from a marginally revised 54.1 in August. The latest survey from Nikkei showed that Japan's manufacturing industry expanded for the first time in seven months in September. Japanese shares fell modestly, with a firmer yen and profit booking in financials weighing on markets. Further, Chinese shares fell in thin trading as property stocks succumbed to selling pressure after recent sharp gains.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,033.90 | -8.42 | -0.28 |
Hang Seng | 23,686.48 | -73.32 | -0.31 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,388.91 | 8.65 | 0.16 |
KLSE Composite | 1,670.99 | 1.33 | 0.08 |
Nikkei 225 | 16,754.02 | -53.60 | -0.32 |
Straits Times | 2,856.95 | 10.89 | 0.38 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,054.07 | 4.37 | 0.21 |
Taiwan Weighted | 9,284.62 | 49.36 | 0.53 |