Asian markets traded mostly higher in early deals on Friday, tracking the positive leads from global indices boosted by an outsized US rate cut and hopes of a ‘soft landing’ for the world’s largest economy. Hang Seng advanced to 13 week-high, after People bank of China left its key lending rates at record lows. Japan’s Nikkei soared the most among Asian indices with the rally in technological sector stocks with its global counter partners. The Bank of Japan kept its policy rate steady at 0.25%, while Japan’s core inflation rate accelerated to 2.8% in August from 2.7% in July.
Nikkei 225 surged by 706.64 points 1.90% to 37,861.97, Hang Seng soared by 241.42 points 1.34% to 18,254.58, Taiwan Weighted climbed by 156.43 points or 0.71% to 22,199.12, KOSPI Index jumped by 23.42 points or 0.91% to 2,604.22, and FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI added by 5.53 points or 0.33% to 1,671.18.
On the flip side, Straits Times down by 18.47 points 0.51% to 3,614.71, Jakarta Composite dipped by 114.59 points or 1.45% to 7,790.80, and Shanghai Composite shrunk by 6.33 points or 0.23% to 2,729.69.