Asia's major markets ended mostly lower yesterday. Tokyo stocks were hit by the data of huge contraction in the economy, but Shanghai Composite outperformed the Asian markets backed by hopes of further government economic stimulus measures, which also boosted the Hong Kong shares.
Asian major indexes were higher Friday after a late-day recovery in the U.S. market. Japan's Nikkei 225 closed up 0.96%, while Korea's Kospi ended 0.5% higher. Shanghai Composite surged 3% to over 2300 points, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index added 2.47% and Taiwan's main index up 2.1%.
Asian markets fell yesterday as investors remained sceptical and worried the deteriorating economy would not receive immediate help from the US stimulus plan. Tokyo stocks dropped 3%, led mostly by banks and exporters, as trading resumed after a holiday. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 2.3%, while Shanghai Composite lost 0.6%. The major indexes in Asia are likely to remain on a downward trend today.
Yesterday the Aussie market ended higher amid expectations debt-laden Rio Tinto would announce the A$30 billion deal with Chinese steelmaker Chinalco. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 was up 39.9 points, or 1.15 per cent, at 3,514.3, while the broader All Ordinaries rose 40.4 points, or 1.18 per cent, to 3,458.5. Today investors will also be looking to the proceeding of government's A42$ billion economic stimulus package as Parliament will debate a new version after the Senate rejected the government's first proposed plan.
Yesterday the Australian share market weathered the bad lead from Wall Street and ended with a modest drop. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closed down 0.4%, or 14.3 points, at 3474.4, while the All Ordinaries fell 0.3%, or 10.5 points, at 3418.1. Today traders are expecting Rio Tinto's earnings report with a profit increase and details of the talks with Chinalco over the A$30 billion cash injection deal.
Asian shares are set to gain on Monday after a rally on Wall Street last Friday. Japan's Nikkei average is also expected to be buoyed by exporters on a weaker yen. Asian shares rallied across the region Friday with shipping stocks leading for another day and miners rising on hopes that demand for commodities might be picking up. The Shanghai Composite Index rallied 4%, delivering its best performance of the week while China-related shares also lifted the market in Hong Kong.
The Australian share market ended last week with 1% higher led by the overseas markets. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index surged 41.3 points, or 1.2%, to 3469.9 while the broader All Ordinaries index closed with 34.9 points higher, or 1%, settled at 3407.5.
