Asian markets settled mostly higher on Friday ahead of key US jobs data later in the day, which could provide further clues on the health of American economy and interest rate outlook. Japanese shares gained after a survey showed Japan's services sector activity grew at its fastest pace in three months in January. Seoul shares rose on robust foreign investor buying. However, Chinese shares declined even as China's services activity expanded for the first time in five months in January.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,263.41 | -22.26 | -0.68 |
Hang Seng | 21,660.47 | -297.89 | -1.38 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,911.73 | 21.16 | 0.31 |
KLSE Composite | 1,490.47 | 0.67 | 0.04 |
Nikkei 225 | 27,509.46 | 107.41 | 0.39 |
Straits Times | 3,384.29 | 20.61 | 0.61 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,480.40 | 11.52 | 0.46 |
Taiwan Weighted | 15,602.66 | 7.50 | 0.05 |