Asian equity markets ended mostly in green on Friday after oil prices rallied overnight and China dismissed media reports that officials have recommended slowing or halting purchases of US debt. Optimism about the earnings season also offered some support. Chinese shares closed higher for the eleventh straight session as investors looked past soft trade data. Official data showed that China's exports and imports growth slowed in December in a sign of weaker global and domestic demand. December exports grew an annual 10.9 percent, beating forecasts but down from a robust 12.3 percent gain in November. Imports grew an even slower pace of 4.5 percent. Though, Japanese shares ended lower as the yen's recent strength hurt exporters. Uniqlo-owner Fast Retailing posted record quarterly profit, helping limit the downside.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,428.94 | 3.60 | 0.10 |
Hang Seng | 31,412.54 | 292.15 | 0.94 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,370.07 | -16.27 | -0.25 |
KLSE Composite | 1,822.67 | 5.79 | 0.32 |
Nikkei 225 | 23,653.82 | -56.61 | -0.24 |
Straits Times | 3,520.56 | 7.88 | 0.22 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,496.42 | 8.51 | 0.34 |
Taiwan Weighted | 10,883.96 | 73.90 | 0.68 |
