Asian markets settled mostly higher on Thursday, tracking strong gains in the Chinese and Hong Kong market after China unexpectedly announced that it will cut banks' reserve requirement ratio by 50 basis points from February 5 reinforced hopes of more stimulus measures and economic recovery. Japanese market ended with a flat note following the mixed cues from Wall Street overnight. Meanwhile, market focus turned towards fourth-quarter US GDP data due later in the day, that could impact expectations of potential easing in policy rates by the Federal Reserve. Malaysian market was closed on account of Thaipusam.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 2,906.11 | 85.34 | 2.94 |
| Hang Seng | 16,211.96 | 312.09 | 1.93 |
| Jakarta Composite | 7,178.04 | -49.78 | -0.69 |
| KLSE Composite | -- | -- | -- |
| Nikkei 225 | 36,236.47 | 9.99 | 0.03 |
| Straits Times | 3,147.64 | -5.69 | -0.18 |
| KOSPI Composite | 2,470.34 | 0.65 | 0.03 |
| Taiwan Weighted | 18,002.62 | 126.79 | 0.70 |
