Asian markets traded mostly higher in early deals on Thursday, as the risk appetite in the market soared after the Federal Reserve announced larger than expected 50 bps interest rate cut. The central bank also signalled another 50 basis points rate trim by the end of the year to address softening inflation and a potential slowdown in the labor market. Optimism about Chinese monetary policy easing emerged after aggressive interest rate cut by the US. People’s Bank of China’s loan prime rate decisions is due on Friday. Japan’s Nikkei surged the most among Asian indices as the weaker local currency yen kindled profit outlook for export oriented business.
Nikkei 225 surged by 877.10 points 2.41% to 37,257.27, Straits Times rose by 25.76 points 0.72% to 3,618.18, Hang Seng jumped by 318.81 points 1.77% to 17,978.83, Taiwan Weighted soared by 300.07 points or 1.38% to 21,978.91, KOSPI Index higher by 0.50 points or 0.02% to 2,575.91, Jakarta Composite climbed by 68.28 points or 0.86% to 7,897.42, Shanghai Composite enlarged by 22.22 points or 0.82% to 2,739.50, and FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI added 2.21 points or 0.13% to 1,662.80.