Asian equity markets ended mostly in green on Thursday after the US and European markets closed with large gains overnight on hopes of a state-backed rescue for struggling Italian lenders and amid optimism that fiscal-stimulus measures outlined by President-elect Donald Trump could lift US economic growth. Investors looked ahead to the ECB meeting later in the day. Faced with weak growth and inflation across the 19-country euro zone, the central bank is widely expected to extend its asset purchase program by six months. Japanese shares hit their highest level in more than 11 months after Chinese trade data came in unexpectedly strong. China's exports unexpectedly rose 0.1 percent in the month from a year ago in dollar terms, confounding expectations for a decline of 5 percent. At the same time, imports advanced 6.7 percent in contrast to the expected fall of 1.9 percent. Though, Chinese shares ended lower as trade and forex data painted a mixed picture of the world's second-largest economy.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,215.37 | -6.88 | -0.21 |
Hang Seng | 22,861.84 | 60.92 | 0.27 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,303.73 | 38.37 | 0.73 |
KLSE Composite | 1,643.75 | 11.28 | 0.69 |
Nikkei 225 | 18,765.47 | 268.78 | 1.45 |
Straits Times | 2,958.86 | -0.98 | -0.03 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,031.07 | 39.18 | 1.97 |
Taiwan Weighted | 9,375.86 | 111.97 | 1.21 |