Asian equity markets ended higher on Friday after China eased restrictions on foreign investment in sectors including banking, automotive, heavy industry and agriculture amid scrutiny from its top trading partners, the United States and the European Union. They were complaining that Beijing limits foreign firms' ability to enter the world's second-largest economy. Chinese shares ended higher, the largest single-day gain since August 2016, as authorities eased foreign investment curbs. Speculation was also rife that the People's Bank of China will lower the reserve ratios for some banks next week. Further, Japanese shares ended modestly higher as the yen fell out of favor and EU leaders reached a deal on migration after more than 12 hours of negotiations.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 2,848.31 | 61.41 | 2.16 |
Hang Seng | 28,955.11 | 457.79 | 1.58 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,799.24 | 131.92 | 2.27 |
KLSE Composite | 1,691.50 | 25.82 | 1.55 |
Nikkei 225 | 22,304.51 | 34.12 | 0.15 |
Straits Times | 3,268.70 | 11.13 | 0.34 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,326.13 | 11.89 | 0.51 |
Taiwan Weighted | 10,836.91 | 182.63 | 1.69 |
