Asian markets ended mostly higher on Thursday on the back of stronger-than-expected Chinese trade data, which raised the hopes for recovery in the world's second-largest economy. Chinese shares closed higher as its exports grew 14.1% in December from a year ago, while imports grew 6% on the year, double the forecast, boosting the country's trade surplus to $31.6 billion, from a surplus of $19.6 billion in November and sharply above a forecast of $19.7 billion. Moreover, Hang Seng and South Korea's Kospi Composite also turned positive after the trade data. Japan's Nikkei extended early sessions’ gains and went home with green mark as the yen resumed its weakening trend.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 2,283.66 | 8.32 | 0.37 |
Hang Seng | 23,354.31 | 135.84 | 0.59 |
Jakarta Composite | 4,317.37 | -45.56 | -1.04 |
KLSE Composite | 1,684.57 | -5.36 | -0.32 |
Nikkei 225 | 10,652.64 | 74.07 | 0.70 |
Straits Times | 3,226.25 | 5.84 | 0.18 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,006.80 | 14.99 | 0.75 |
Taiwan Weighted | 7,811.64 | 73.00 | 0.94 |
