The Asian markets concluded Friday’s trade mostly in red with Hang Sang Index, giving up gains, ahead of a key US jobs report later in the day. While the crisis in Ukraine is still to be resolved, investors are focused on economic fundamentals. The rupiah rose for a fifth week, the longest winning streak since April 2011, as Indonesia’s improving economy lured foreign funds to the nation’s assets. The Shanghai Commission of Commerce stated that Shanghai hosted 271 international events among the 793 fairs held in the city last year. Japan’s index of leading economic indicators rose less-than-expected last month. The indicators rose to a seasonally adjusted 112.2, from 111.7 in the preceding month whose figure was revised down from 112.1.
Japan is expected to log a record current account deficit in January and any rebound in core machinery orders is thought likely to be modest. The economic growth for October-December is expected to remain unchanged from an initial estimate of 0.3%, but poll respondents believe capital spending may be revised down slightly, with firms apprehensive about the impact of a sales tax hike on April 1.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 2057.91 | -1.67 | -0.08 |
Hang Seng | 22660.49 | -42.48 | -0.19 |
Jakarta Composite | 4685.89 | -1.97 | -0.04 |
KLSE Composite | 1832.26 | -6.43 | -0.35 |
Nikkei 225 | 15274.07 | 139.32 | 0.92 |
Straits Times | 3136.26 | 7.09 | 0.23 |
KOSPI Composite | 1974.68 | -0.94 | -0.05 |
Taiwan Weighted | 8713.96 | 0.17 | 0.00 |