Most Asian stock markets went home with green mark on the back of bargain-hunting following two days of losses due to batch of weak manufacturing data that fuelled concerns over the global economy. Markets were optimistic about the European Central Bank meeting, which anticipated announcing a plan to support financially struggling European countries. Investors are also waiting for Friday's U.S. payrolls data for signs of life in the world's largest economy. Sustained signs of weakness in the U.S. economy may lend a hand to influence the Federal Reserve for announcing new action after its meeting next week. Shanghai Composite ended higher with infrastructure stocks leading the rally on news that China's top planner had approved investment in subway projects since April.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 2,051.92 | 14.24 | 0.70 |
Hang Seng | 19,209.30 | 64.23 | 0.34 |
Jakarta Composite | 4,102.86 | 27.50 | 0.67 |
KLSE Composite | 1,617.99 | -23.02 | -1.40 |
Nikkei 225 | 8,680.57 | 0.75 | 0.01 |
Straits Times | 2,989.26 | -6.64 | -0.22 |
KOSPI Composite | 1,881.24 | 7.21 | 0.38 |
Taiwan Weighted | 7,326.72 | -40.72 | -0.55 |