The Asian markets have made a green start, though some of the indices are not trading but those trading, have taken cues from the US markets where manufacturing unexpectedly expanded and Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke repeated his pledge to sustain record stimulus, supporting the outlook for exporters from the regional markets. Meanwhile, the Japanese market was trading higher by about a quarter percent after Japan's new Economy Minister Seiji Maehara pledged a closer watch over the central bank to ensure it meets a 1 percent inflation goal.
Jakarta Composite was up by 20.72 points or 0.49% to 4,257.36, KLSE Composite gained 7.33 points or 0.42% to 1,650.29, Nikkei 225 gained 21.87 points or 0.25% to 8,818.38, Straits Times was up by 10.42 points or 0.34% to 3,067.91, Kospi Composite was up by 5.48 points or 0.27% to 2,002.52 and Taiwan Weighted was higher by 45.10 points or 0.59% to 7,720.68.
Markets in China, Hong Kong and India are closed today for holidays.