Asian equity markets ended mostly higher on Friday as oil prices rebounded from three-month lows and the European Central Bank upgraded its growth and inflation forecasts for the euro area, while signaling little urgency to ease policy again in the light of improving economic outlook. Japanese shares closed at its highest since December 2015 as exporters benefitted from the dollar hitting a six-week high against the yen, while investors waited for a US jobs report that could pave the way for a rate hike as early as next week. The all-important February jobs report is slated for release tonight after a glowing report from payroll processor ADP on Wednesday showed US businesses added the most jobs in three years last month. However, Chinese stocks closed slightly lower as the country's central bank skipped its open market operations for a second straight day to help ease pressure on liquidity in the banking system.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,212.76 | -3.99 | -0.12 |
Hang Seng | 23,568.67 | 67.11 | 0.29 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,390.68 | -11.71 | -0.22 |
KLSE Composite | 1,717.58 | 0.16 | 0.01 |
Nikkei 225 | 19,604.61 | 286.03 | 1.48 |
Straits Times | 3,133.35 | 14.51 | 0.47 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,097.35 | 6.29 | 0.30 |
Taiwan Weighted | 9,627.89 | -30.72 | -0.32 |