Hong Kong and Shanghai stocks extended a four-day winning streak on Friday, as the European Central Bank’s latest easing moves and better-than-expected Chinese manufacturing data boosted investor sentiment.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index charged ahead 182.73 points, or 1.1%, to 17,511.75, marking its highest settlement since the end of December
The yen strengthened against the euro after the ECB’s announcement of a €60-billion-a-month bond-buying program on Thursday. It was trading at ¥133.78, compared with ¥136.50 on Wednesday.
However, the yen weakened versus the U.S. dollar, falling to ¥118.13, from ¥118.05 at Thursday’s Tokyo stock close.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index leaped 327.82 points, or 1.3%, to 24,850.45, its best level in more than four months. For the week, the index climbed 3.1%.
The Kospi Composite Index gained ground, as South Korea’s economic growth slowed as expected in the fourth quarter of last year.
CHINA
The Shanghai CS300 index added 4.12 points, or 0.1%, to 3,571.73
An initial or "flash" reading of HSBC’s China manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 49.8 in January, compared with a final version of 49.6 in December, according to data out earlier in the day.
In other markets;
The Kospi in Korea regained 15.27 points, or 0.8%, to 1,936.09
In Taiwan, the Taiex index gained 101.43 points, or 1.1%, to 9,470.94
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index moved higher 41.21 points, or 1.2%, to 3,411.50
New Zealand’s NZX 50 index gained 28.09 points, or 0.5%, to 5,675.24
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 hiked 81.88 points, or 1.5%, to 5,501.82
