Asian equity indices are trading higher in the early deals on Thursday as improving optimism about the global economy helped investors shake off worries about geopolitical risks for the moment. The Japanese market is extending gains from the previous session, following the mostly positive cues overnight from Wall Street, higher commodity prices and a weaker yen. Meanwhile, Hong Kong stocks rose with semiconductor stocks a driving force after a report that China may further develop its own chip industry, while comments from Hong Kong’s monetary authority on its recent currency intervention buoyed sentiments.
Nikkei 225 gained 71.95 points or 0.32% to 22,230.15, Taiwan Weighted rose 113.72 points or 1.05% to 10,961.61, Hang Seng jumped 388.04 points or 1.28% to 30,672.29, Shanghai Composite increased 30.12 points or 0.97% to 3,121.51, Straits Times strengthen 41.62 points or 1.17% to 3,599.44, Jakarta Composite spurt 13.35 points or 0.21% to 6,333.35, FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI added 8.61 points or 0.46% to 1,887.93, and KOSPI Index up by 6.41 points or 0.26% to 2,486.39.
