Asian Markets ended mostly higher on Thursday after U.S. lawmakers are all set to resume negotiations to avoid a fiscal crunch by December 31. Meanwhile, Japan’s Nikkei touched highest level in more than a year on the back of optimism that a new government in Japan will fuel the country’s sluggish economy. Moreover, dollar rose to its highest level against the yen as Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took office, raising expectations that the Bank of Japan will initiate more aggressive monetary easing under his leadership. However, Mainland Chinese shares went home with a red mark, amid a lack of cues from policymakers. Hang Seng closed marginally higher and buying gained pace as the market reopened after two days holiday.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 2,205.90 | -13.23 | -0.60 |
Hang Seng | 22,619.78 | 78.60 | 0.35 |
Jakarta Composite | 4281.86 | 6.77 | 0.16 |
KLSE Composite | 1,674.16 | 2.58 | 0.15 |
Nikkei 225 | 10,322.98 | 92.62 | 0.91 |
Straits Times | 3,183.93 | 3.12 | 0.10 |
KOSPI Composite | 1,987.35 | 5.10 | 0.26 |
Taiwan Weighted | 7,648.41 | 14.22 | 0.19 |
