Most of the Asian markets have made a positive start and barring Hang seng all are trading in green, though marginally. The indices in the region have advanced on expectations that China will ease monetary policy and amid signs the US economy is strengthening. Meanwhile, in an effort to ease a cash crunch, China’s central bank stepped up reverse-repurchase operations, injecting 150 billion yuan in the system. However the Japanese market was trading flat to positive after German criticism of the European Central Bank’s bond-buying plan tempered hopes for additional stimulus.
Shanghai Composite was up by 12.76 points or 0.61% to 2,119.72, KLSE Composite was flat 1,649.79, Nikkei gained 12.27 points or 0.14% to 9,182.72, Straits Times was up by 4.34 points or 0.11% to 3,066.01, Kospi Composite has gained 9.00 points or 0.46% to 1,955.44 and Taiwan Weighted surged by 76.60 points or 1.03% to 7,509.04.
On the other hand, Hang Seng was the lone loser, down by 23.36 points or 0.12% to 20,080.91
Jakarta Composite is closed till Wednesday, due to public and Idul Fitri holidays.