Asian stocks ended in green on Monday as some encouraging data out of Japan and hopes that Beijing will speed up structural reforms at state-owned enterprises, boosted investor sentiment. Japan reported that its trade balance swung to a surplus in September coupled with strong Japanese manufacturing data from a purchasing manager’s survey also suggested signs of improved activity in the world's third biggest economy. Chinese shares rallied amid expectations that the government would maintain its high levels of fiscal spending. The yuan weakened further to hit fresh six-year lows against the dollar amid evidence of ongoing outflows from the world's second-largest economy. Further, Hong Kong's shares ended higher as trading resumed following a holiday on Friday owing to a typhoon. However, a retreat in oil prices in Asian deals served to keep a lid on overall gains across the region.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,128.25 | 37.31 | 1.21 |
Hang Seng | 23,604.08 | 229.68 | 0.98 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,421.00 | 11.75 | 0.22 |
KLSE Composite | 1,677.76 | 7.78 | 0.47 |
Nikkei 225 | 17,234.42 | 49.83 | 0.29 |
Straits Times | 2,856.68 | 25.62 | 0.90 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,047.74 | 14.74 | 0.73 |
Taiwan Weighted | 9,322.50 | 15.93 | 0.17 |