Most of the Asian equity benchmarks are trading higher on Thursday, lifted by the optimism over global economic recovery with the upbeat corporate earnings and larger US covid relief fund. Oil stocks are in negative note despite strong gains in crude oil rates overnight, while the gold miners are advancing with the yellow metal stronger for fourth straight session. Stock markets of Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and China are closed for a holiday. Among the Asian markets, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Malaysia are in positive note. Bucking the trend, Singapore is trading lower.
Hang Seng increased by 134.85 points or 0.45% to 30,173.57, Jakarta Composite higher by 8.05 points or 0.13% to 6,209.88, and FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI lifted by 2.57 points 0.16% to 1,599.42.
On the flip side, Straits Times dipped by 0.36 points or 0.01% to 2,925.48.
