Asian equity markets ended mostly higher on Friday even as Chinese markets came under selling pressure amid anaemic growth in the nation’s service sector in October heightened worries about an economic slowdown. Underlying sentiments remained supported somewhat after the release of US tax reform bill as well as the announcement of Jerome Powell as the next Federal Reserve Chair. Investors attention shifted to the all-important US jobs report due tonight, with US employment expected to jump by 312,000 jobs in October after unexpectedly dipping by 33,000 jobs in September. The unemployment rate is expected to hold at 4.2 percent. The Japanese markets were closed for the Culture Day holiday.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,371.74 | -11.56 | -0.34 |
Hang Seng | 28,603.61 | 84.97 | 0.30 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,039.54 | 8.43 | 0.14 |
KLSE Composite | 1,740.93 | -0.12 | -0.01 |
Nikkei 225 | - | - | - |
Straits Times | 3,382.31 | 1.81 | 0.05 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,557.97 | 11.61 | 0.46 |
Taiwan Weighted | 10,800.77 | 12.26 | 0.11 |