Asian markets ended mostly higher on Friday with optimism surrounding China’s reopening of its borders this week after three years of covid lockdowns. Meanwhile, investors are awaiting the release of closely watched US nonfarm payrolls data later in the day for additional clues on the US Federal Reserve's future rate path. Japanese shares finished higher, even as hawkish comments from US Fed members Esther George and James Bullard deepened fears of elevated interest rates for longer than expected. Besides, the yen’s continued retreat from seven-month peak and encouraging data on service sector boosted sentiment.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,157.64 | 2.42 | 0.08 |
Hang Seng | 20,991.64 | -60.53 | -0.29 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,684.56 | 30.72 | 0.46 |
KLSE Composite | 1,480.55 | -0.38 | -0.03 |
Nikkei 225 | 25,973.85 | 153.05 | 0.59 |
Straits Times | 3,276.72 | -15.94 | -0.48 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,289.97 | 25.32 | 1.12 |
Taiwan Weighted | 14,373.34 | 72.29 | 0.51 |