Most of the Asian equity indices are trading in positive terrain tailing signs of an improving US economy after data showed US retail sales rose unexpectedly in April. Meanwhile, Japanese Nikkei surged to a fresh five and a half year high as Japanese exporters rallied on the yen’s sharp slide. The yen hovered near four and a half year low as against the dollar set on May 14, 2013.
Hang Seng rose 115.97 points or 0.51% to 3,046.25, Jakarta Composite increased 10.28 points or 0.20% to 5,092.22, Nikkei 225 surged 303.98 points or 2.06% to 15,062.40, Straits Times added 4.86 points or 0.14% to 3,437.62 and Taiwan Weighted was up by 26.69 points or 0.32% to 8,278.51.
On the flip side, Shanghai Composite declined 2.44 points or 0.11% to 2,214.57 and KOSPI Composite was down by 1.41 points or 0.07% to 1,967.42.
