Asian markets traded mostly higher in early deals on Monday, with the risk appetite in the market followed by the upbeat economic data from US and China last week. Rally in technological sector stocks also lifted the indices. China’s Shanghai advanced after the People’s Bank of China lowered both its one- and five-year loan prime rates by 25 bps, as indicated last week by Governor Pan Gongsheng. Dovish stance of several major central banks also lifted investor sentiments. Japan’s Nikkei also advanced, though it hit lowest levels in over two weeks during the trade.
Nikkei 225 up by 40.68 points 0.10% to 39,022.43, Jakarta Composite higher by 20.58 points or 0.27% to 7,780.64, Taiwan Weighted enlarged by 39.72 points or 0.17% to 23,526.99, KOSPI Index rose by 17.18 points or 0.66% to 2,611.00, and Shanghai Composite widened by 23.45 points or 0.72% to 3,285.01.
On the flip side, Hang Seng down by 110.45 points 0.53% to 20,693.66, Straits Times lower by 19.04 points 0.52% to 3,621.15, and FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI dipped by 1.23 points or 0.07% to 1,644.76.