Buoyed by firm cues from US markets, most of the Asian equity indices are trading higher in the Monday’s morning trade. Better than expected US jobs data and fall in unemployment rate mainly boosted the sentiments of the traders. Back on regional turf, Japanese Nikkei hit a fresh 4-1/2 year high as weaker yen fuelling gains in exporters. However, Chinese Shanghai Composite dipped as disappointing economic data fuelled concerns about China’s economy. The nation’s industrial output had the weakest start to a year since 2009 and lending and retail sales growth slowed.
Hang Seng rose 102.43 points or 0.44% to 23,194.38, Nikkei 225 strengthened 58.46 points or 0.48% to 12,342.08, Straits Times increased 3.93 points or 0.12% to 3,293.46, Taiwan Weighted added 32.14 points or 0.40% to 8,047.28 and Jakarta Composite was up by 1.90 points or 0.04% to 4,876.40.
On the flip side, Shanghai Composite slipped 5.57 points or 0.24% to 2,313.04, KLSE Composite dipped 1.67 points or 0.10% to 1,652.29 and KOSPI Composite was down by 4.84 points or 0.24% to 2,001.17.
