Asian equity indices are trading mostly in green in Thursday’s morning deals after data showed Japan’s economy accelerated in the first three months of the year, in contrast to an enduring recession in the euro zone which was keeping the euro in doldrums. Japan's economy grew 0.9% in the first quarter, speeding up from a 0.3% pace in the previous quarter and beating expectations for a growth rate of 0.7%. However, Japanese Nikkei, after touching fresh 5-1/2 year high, reversed their gains and entered the red terrain on the back of profit booking.
Shanghai Composite rose 21.77 points or 0.98% to 2,246.57, Hang Seng increased 82.80 points or 0.36% to 23,127.04, Jakarta Composite jumped 15.36 points or 0.30% to 5,105.24, KOSPI Composite added 18.09 points or 0.92% to 1,989.35 and Taiwan Weighted was up by 83.35 points or 1.00% to 8,401.94.
On the flip side, KLSE Composite declined 11.69 points or 0.66% to 1,771.34, Nikkei 225 tumbled 194.25 points or 1.29% to 14,901.78 and Straits Times was down by 1.64 points or 0.05% to 3,439.89.
