Asian markets ended mostly higher on Thursday due to optimism over a third potential vaccine by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford that was found to be highly effective in preventing Covid-19. Market sentiment was also encouraged by signs that the transition of power in the US to President-elect Joe Biden has begun. Japanese shares climbed as the government maintained its assessment of the economy in November, saying that conditions remain severe due to the novel corona virus but it is showing movements of picking up. Though, surprise uptick in US jobless claims amid fresh Covid-19 lockdowns has restricted some gains. The US Labor Department said 778,000 initial claims were filed in the week ended November 25, more than expected and an increase of 30,000 from the previous week's upwardly revised figure.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,369.73 | 7.40 | 0.22 |
Hang Seng | 26,819.45 | 149.70 | 0.56 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,759.92 | 80.67 | 1.42 |
KLSE Composite | 1,612.11 | 14.53 | 0.91 |
Nikkei 225 | 26,537.31 | 240.45 | 0.91 |
Straits Times | 2,857.48 | -12.07 | -0.42 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,625.91 | 24.37 | 0.94 |
Taiwan Weighted | 13,845.66 | 106.83 | 0.78 |
