Sentiments turned bullish in the Asian region and most of the Asian equity indices ended the day’s trade in the positive terrain on last trading day of the week amid hopes that the US Federal Reserve will embark on a fresh round of economic stimulus and Greece will return a pro-austerity government in weekend polls. Meanwhile, Hong Kong stocks jumped over two percent following a rally on Wall Street amid hopes for a fresh stimulus drive by the US Federal Reserve while, Nikkei closed flat, nudging 0.43 points up to 8,569.32, with market men unimpressed with the Bank of Japan’s decision to hold off any fresh stimulus moves for the time being.
However, Seoul shares dipped on Friday, underperforming Asian peers, dragged by selling by foreign investors, while a 2.90 percent decline in index heavyweight Samsung Electronics also added to the pressure.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 2,306.85 | 10.90 | 0.47 |
Hang Seng | 19,233.94 | 425.54 | 2.26 |
Jakarta Composite | 3,818.11 | 26.49 | 0.70 |
KLSE Composite | 1,579.23 | 8.29 | 0.53 |
Nikkei 225 | 8,569.32 | 0.43 | 0.01 |
Straits Times | 2,811.00 | 37.19 | 1.34 |
KOSPI Composite | 1,858.16 | -13.32 | -0.71 |
Taiwan Weighted | 7,155.83 | 80.73 | 1.14 |