Most of the Asian markets ended higher on Thursday but gains were limited ahead of European Central Bank policy measures announcements in the coming weeks. Investors waited for some major triggers and for further measures to tackle the euro zone's debt crisis and support global growth. Meanwhile, Japan's Nikkei hits a six-week high and gained a steady foothold above 9,000 after strong U.S. data pushed the yen lower against the U.S. dollar, triggering a wave of short-covering on exporters. Hong Kong shares erased gains in weak trading, as disappointing earnings underscored growth concerns even after Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said slowing inflation is giving more room for using monetary policy to support expansion.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 2,112.20 | -6.75 | -0.32 |
Hang Seng | 19,962.95 | -89.34 | -0.45 |
Jakarta Composite | 4,160.51 | 18.52 | 0.45 |
KLSE Composite | 1,650.09 | -3.69 | -0.22 |
Nikkei 225 | 9,092.76 | 167.72 | 1.88 |
Straits Times | 3,062.89 | 0.78 | 0.03 |
KOSPI Composite | 1,957.91 | 0.95 | 0.05 |
Taiwan Weighted | 7,490.21 | 22.47 | 0.30 |