Asian markets ended mostly higher on Friday, even as renewed concerns about rising inflation dented hopes of a swift global recovery from the pandemic. However, weak close in Wall Street overnight after unexpected rise in weekly jobless claims added pressure on market sentiments. Japanese shares ended lower as firmer yen and rising bond yields weighing on investors' sentiment. Japan's consumer prices declined at a slower pace in January reflecting the end of the 'Go To' travel scheme of the government, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said. Consumer prices were down 0.6 percent, but slower than the 1.2 percent drop in December and -0.9 percent in November.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,696.17 | 20.81 | 0.57 |
Hang Seng | 30,644.73 | 49.46 | 0.16 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,231.93 | 31.62 | 0.51 |
KLSE Composite | 1,584.93 | 9.09 | 0.58 |
Nikkei 225 | 30,017.92 | -218.17 | -0.72 |
Straits Times | 2,880.64 | -28.21 | -0.97 |
KOSPI Composite | 3,107.62 | 20.96 | 0.68 |
Taiwan Weighted | 16,341.38 | -83.13 | -0.51 |
