Most of the Asian equity benchmarks are trading in the green terrain in early deals on Friday, with the regional index headed for a fourth week of gains, as bond risk fell to the lowest in 11 weeks before US jobs data today. The investors were treading cautiously due to the lingering concerns about the conflict in Ukraine. On the regional front, the Japanese stock market was trading positive with a weaker yen and the data showing a decline in US jobless claims prompting investors to indulge in some strong buying. Currently the yen is trading at 102.96 against the US dollar. Among other markets in the Asia-Pacific region, Shanghai, Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia and South Korea are trading higher, while Hong Kong and Malaysia are trading slightly weak.
Shanghai Composite rose 0.33 points or 0.02% to 2,059.91, Jakarta Composite gained by 11.89 points or 0.25% to 4,699.74, Nikkei 225 spurted by 52.99 points or 0.35% to 15,187.74, Straits Times soared 3.20 points or 0.10% to 3,132.37, KOSPI Composite increased 0.28 points or 0.01% to 1,975.90 and Taiwan Weighted was up by 25.17 points or 0.29% to 8,738.96.
On the flip side, Hang Seng dropped 54.97 points or 0.24% to 22,648.00 and KLSE Composite was down by 5.60 points or 0.30% to 1,833.09.