Most of the Asian equity indices ended the session in the green terrain on Friday on the back encouraging data from the China. The nations’ economy grew 7.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012 from a year earlier, strengthening from 7.4 percent in the third quarter -- the lowest since the depths of the global financial crisis. Other Chinese data released showed industrial output grew 10.3 percent in December from a year ago, above an expected 10.1 percent increase, and retail sales in December rose 15.2 percent on the year ago, also topping an estimated 14.9 percent rise. Meanwhile, Japanese benchmark Nikkei surged by around three percent for its biggest daily gain in 22 months as the yen resumed its downtrend, improving earnings prospects for Japanese exporters.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 2,317.07 | 32.16 | 1.41 |
Hang Seng | 23,601.78 | 32.16 | 1.12 |
Jakarta Composite | 4,465.48 | 67.10 | 1.53 |
KLSE Composite | 1,676.44 | -4.65 | -0.28 |
Nikkei 225 | 10,913 | 303.66 | 2.86 |
Straits Times | 3,211.22 | 16.12 | 0.50 |
KOSPI Composite | 1,987.85 | 13.58 | 0.69 |
Taiwan Weighted | 7,732.87 | 116.23 | 1.53 |
