Asian equity markets ended mostly in green on Friday, although trading volumes remained thin ahead of the Christmas weekend. Underlying sentiments remained supported by higher commodity prices, encouraging economic reports from the US and passage of the landmark tax reform bill. Investors shrugged off the news that voters in Catalonia favored separatists wanting to break away from Spain. Japanese shares closed slightly higher in quiet pre-holiday trade after the US House of Representatives gave final approval to the biggest US tax overhaul in 30 years. Though, Chinese shares ended lower, dragged down by financial and consumer staple stocks.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,297.06 | -3.00 | -0.09 |
Hang Seng | 29,578.01 | 210.95 | 0.72 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,221.01 | 37.62 | 0.61 |
KLSE Composite | 1,760.24 | 9.03 | 0.52 |
Nikkei 225 | 22,902.76 | 36.66 | 0.16 |
Straits Times | 3,385.71 | 3.18 | 0.09 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,440.54 | 10.71 | 0.44 |
Taiwan Weighted | 10,537.27 | 48.30 | 0.46 |