Asian markets ended mixed on Friday, with bargain hunting following a firm finish for Wall Street overnight on strong US jobs data. Data showed a drop in jobless claims last week with an indication of further progress in the labour market. While, growing inflationary worries and Covid-19 concerns kept the sentiments remain cautious. Chinese markets ended lower under sell-off pressure from financials and consumer staple stocks and offsetting gains in the commodities sector. Japanese shares settled up despite persisting concerns over slow economic recovery from the corona-virus pandemic due to Japan’s stagnated vaccine rollouts.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,486.56 | -20.38 | -0.58 |
Hang Seng | 28,458.44 | 8.15 | 0.03 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,773.12 | -24.48 | -0.42 |
KLSE Composite | 1,560.66 | -14.66 | -0.93 |
Nikkei 225 | 28,317.83 | 219.58 | 0.78 |
Straits Times | 3,119.73 | 9.92 | 0.32 |
KOSPI Composite | 3,156.42 | -5.86 | -0.19 |
Taiwan Weighted | 16,302.06 | 259.70 | 1.62 |