Asian markets ended mostly higher on Friday, despite Wall Street’s fall overnight as the US Treasury Department's plan to expand government debt buybacks appeared to have only limited capacity to calm markets. Chinese shares gained marginally as investors were optimistic that Beijing may increase policy support to counter a slowing economy. Market focus has shifted to the upcoming China's National People's Congress Standing Committee meeting on August 25-28, where market participants anticipate further policy support following weak July economic data. Hong Kong shares rose as traders responded to easing local inflation, which eased to 1.7% in July from 2% in each of the previous two months. Moreover, South Korea’s Kospi rose as strength in major chipmakers and robust semiconductor exports boosted investor sentiment.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 3,905.20 | 1.48 | 0.04 |
| Hang Seng | 26,009.46 | 310.97 | 1.21 |
| Jakarta Composite | 6,525.69 | 24.10 | 0.37 |
| KLSE Composite | 1,736.48 | -0.23 | -0.01 |
| Nikkei 225 | 66,016.36 | -200.43 | -0.30 |
| Straits Times | 5,688.96 | 17.05 | 0.30 |
| KOSPI Composite | 6,912.95 | 60.37 | 0.88 |
| Taiwan Weighted | 45,224.29 | 290.55 | 0.65 |
