Asia’s benchmark stock indices headed for its fourth straight weekly advance as investors awaited U.S. jobs data. Energy and industrial shares led gains today.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 index spiked 139.32 points, or 0.9%, to 15,274.07
The Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong doffed 42.48 points, or 0.2%, to 22,660.49
Asian shares are heading for the longest weekly winning streak since September, while global shares trade at their most expensive this year, as concern eases that Russia’s Ukraine incursion will spark a broader conflict.
Fanuc Corporation a factory-robotics maker that get 78% of sales overseas, gained 1.8% in Tokyo as the yen headed for its biggest weekly decline since the period ended Nov. 29. Sony Corp., the market of Bravia Televisions and PlayStation game consoles, rose 1% to 1,844 yen.
Great Wall Motor Co. slid 3.4% in Hong Kong after reporting slower sales.
China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., the refiner better known as Sinopec, climbed 4.6% in Hong Kong after Premier Li Keqiang reiterated this week that China would allow private investment in oil and power projects.
CHINA
The Shanghai CSI 300 Index faded 5.27 points, or 0.2%, to 2,168.36
Shanghai Chaori Solar Energy Science & Technology Co. failed to make an interest payment, making it the first onshore bond default. The maker of energy cells to convert sunlight was due to make a payment of 89.8 million yuan ($14.7 million U.S).
In other markets;
In Taiwan, the Taiex gained 0.17 points to 8,713.96
Singapore’s Straits Times Index gained 7.09 points, or 0.2%, to 3,136.26
Korea’s Kospi Index slid 0.94 points, or 0.1%, to 1,974.68
The New Zealand Exchange 50 index tacked on 10.86 points, or 0.2%, to 5,125.65, its sixth straight record high
In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 recovered 16.42 points, or 0.3%, to 5,462.31.
