Asian shares rose on Friday, bolstered by economic data and earnings, and with Japanese exporters getting a boost as the yen fell further.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 Index sprang back to life, regaining 146.07 points, or 1.6%, to close the week at 9,384.17
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index rocketed higher by 214.34 points, or 1%, to 21,491.60
Asian markets got an early boost after U.S. shares ended at a level not seen in almost four years Thursday, as lower jobless figures outweighed lingering concern about a Greek default
As a result, Japanese exporters extended their strong gains since the Japanese currency began its fall Tuesday, triggered by the Bank of Japan’s surprise expansion of its monetary easing.
Both Toyota Motor Corp. and Mazda Motor Corp. climbed 0.6%, while Nissan Motor Co. rose 2.1%.
Sony Corp. climbed 2.1%, and Panasonic Corp. rose 3.7%.
Banks were mixed in Hong Kong, with HSBC Holdings PLC up 1.7%, and Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd. down 0.2%.
Some globally exposed names rose as well, with Foxconn International Holdings Ltd up 0.7% and apparel firm Esprit Holdings Ltd. up 4.9% ahead of its earnings results due next week.
Of Sydney-listed firms reporting results on Friday, Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. climbed 1.7% after the bank said that its quarterly adjusted profit rose 4.1% to 1.48 billion Australian dollars ($1.59 billion U.S.) compared to the year-ago period.
Billabong International Ltd. surged 46% after the firm said it had received a conditional bid from TPG Capital but had decided instead to sell part of Nixon Inc. for an enterprise value of about $464 million U.S. The retailer also posted a first half-net profit of A$16.1 million, down 71.8% on the year-ago period.
CHINA
The Shanghai CSI 300 squeaked up 1.01 points to 2,537.08
In the Chinese insurance sector, China Life Insurance Co. advanced 3.5% -- extending its weekly gain above 6% -- and Ping An Insurance Group Co. rose 1.6%.
In other markets;
Taiwan’s Taiex Index added 24.66 points, or 0.3%, to 7,894.36
Korea’s Kospi Index gained 26.02 points, or 1.3%, to 2,023.47
Singapore’s Straits Times Index moved ahead 23.39 points, or 0.8%, to 3,000.59
New Zealand’s NZX 50 Index inched up 2.56 points, or 0.1%, to 3,289
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index tacked on 14.02 points, or 0.3%, to 4,195.88
