Most Asian markets trade in green after opening weak

17 Aug 2011 Evaluate

Majority of Asian equity indices are trading in the positive territory after getting off to an unenthusiastic opening on the back of discouraging leads from the overnight US and European markets. However, the gains remain insignificant as investors continue to trade cautiously on getting more evidence of gloomy global economic outlook as Germany’s economic slowdown weighed heavily on euro-zone GDP growth as a whole, which came in at 0.2% in April-June quarter versus 0.3% forecast. In addition, the leaders of France and Germany rejected the notion of selling common European bonds and suggested a financial-transaction tax. On the other hand, the US data indicated that on one hand housing starts slipped 1.5% while industrial output was stronger than expected in July, rising 0.9% versus expectations of a 0.6% gain.

Hong Kong’ benchmark index climbed over half a percent in a patchy session, being the top gainer in the space while weakness in exporters and financial stocks dragged the shares in Tokyo in the red.

Shanghai Composite added 0.78 points or 0.03% to 2,608.95, Hang Seng climbed 178.28 points or 0.88% to 20,390.36, KLSE Composite advanced 3.81 points or 0.25% to 1,502.05, Straits Times rose 13.98 points or 0.49% to 2,846.71 and Seoul Composite gained 5.92 points or 0.31% to 1,885.79

On the other hand, Nikkei 225 plunged 91.89 points or 1.01% to 9,015.54 and Taiwan Weighted eased 0.46 points or 0.01% to 7,798.13

Stock markets in Indonesia remained closed on account of Independence day holiday.

© 2025 The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved. MoneyWorks4Me ® is a registered trademark of The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd.

×