Asian stocks ended solidly higher Friday as Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's comments overnight were interpreted as adding momentum for further interest-rate cuts.
Tokyo's Nikkei 225 Average ended Friday's session 1.1 percent higher, rising 166.93 points to 15,680.67, while the broader Topix index was up 0.9 percent to 1,531.88.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index ended 0.6 percent higher, rising 161 points to 28,643.61. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index was up 1 percent to 17,178.49, rising 164.36 points.
Shares of HSBC Holdings eased 0.2 percent in Hong Kong, coinciding with a broker downgrade by ABN Amro on concerns of rising write-offs at its unit HSBC Finance.
Shares of Woodside Petroleum added 2.1 percent, with Inpex Holdings up 1.8 percent.
In Seoul, Hynix Semiconductor's shares climbed 5.7 percent, extending sharp gains in the previous session after a trade resolution body ruled in its favor in a trade dispute with Japan. Also higher, shares of steelmaker Posco added 1.9 percent.
ELSEWHERE:
JAKARTA: Indonesia's JSX Composite fell 0.4 percent.
MUMBAI: India's Sensitive Index was up 2.9 percent.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's KLSE Composite moved 1.7 percent higher.
SEOUL: South Korea's Kospi added 1.5 percent to 1,906.00.
SINGAPORE: The Straits Times Index added 1.2 percent.
TAIPEI: Taiwan's Weighted Price Index climbed 1.7 percent.
SYDNEY: S&P/ASX 200 was up 1.4 percent to 6,533.1.
WELLINGTON: Markets in New Zealand were closed for a public holiday.
with files from other wire services
