Asian markets ended mostly higher on Friday, despite mixed cues from Wall Street overnight as strong US retail sales and jobs data fuelled tapering expectations ahead of next week’s Federal Reserve meeting. South Korean shares rose due to expectations of economic recovery from the corona-virus pandemic, though gains were capped as investors refrained from placing big bets ahead of the country’s three-day holiday. Japanese shares gained amid signs of falling new virus cases in the country. Expectations of fresh economic stimulus under the new political leadership too supported the Japanese market’s sentiment. Moreover, Chinese shares closed higher ahead of the mid-autumn festival holiday, while shares of China Evergrande Group extended falls for the fifth consecutive session.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,613.97 | 6.88 | 0.19 |
Hang Seng | 24,920.76 | 252.91 | 1.03 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,133.25 | 23.31 | 0.38 |
KLSE Composite | 1,548.51 | -6.75 | -0.43 |
Nikkei 225 | 30,500.05 | 176.71 | 0.58 |
Straits Times | 3,071.23 | 6.69 | 0.22 |
KOSPI Composite | 3,140.51 | 10.42 | 0.33 |
Taiwan Weighted | 17,276.79 | -1.91 | -0.01 |
