Asian markets settled mostly higher on Friday, tracking Wall Street’s overnight gains as US Treasury yields slipped on weaker labour market data, while release of stronger-than-expected earnings results by US tech giants Meta Platforms and Amazon also supported market sentiments. Japanese shares gained, led by heavyweight semiconductor-related shares. Meanwhile, investors were awaiting US January jobs report due out later in the day. However, promises of further fiscal stimulus from Chinese government failed to give a significant boost to its shares.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 2,730.15 | -40.59 | -1.49 |
| Hang Seng | 15,533.56 | -32.65 | -0.21 |
| Jakarta Composite | 7,238.78 | 37.08 | 0.51 |
| KLSE Composite | 1,516.58 | 3.60 | 0.24 |
| Nikkei 225 | 36,158.02 | 146.56 | 0.41 |
| Straits Times | 3,179.77 | 36.71 | 1.15 |
| KOSPI Composite | 2,615.31 | 72.85 | 2.79 |
| Taiwan Weighted | 18,059.93 | 91.82 | 0.51 |
