Asian equity markets ended mostly in green on Monday, with new record closing highs on Wall Street Friday, higher commodity prices and optimism over corporate earnings helping underpin investors’ sentiments. Japanese shares ended higher even as the dollar weakened against most major currencies, including the yen. Though, Chinese shares fell on profit taking, ending an 11-sesssion winning streak after central bank data showed China's bank lending declined in December on measures taken by the government to curb credit growth. Hong Kong shares ended lower, snapping a 14-day winning streak, dragged down by a retreat in property shares and index heavyweight Tencent Holdings.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,410.49 | -18.45 | -0.54 |
Hang Seng | 31,338.87 | -73.67 | -0.23 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,382.20 | 12.13 | 0.19 |
KLSE Composite | 1,825.91 | 3.24 | 0.18 |
Nikkei 225 | 23,714.88 | 61.06 | 0.26 |
Straits Times | 3,536.41 | 15.85 | 0.45 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,503.73 | 7.31 | 0.29 |
Taiwan Weighted | 10,956.31 | 72.35 | 0.66 |
