Asian markets ended higher on Wednesday. Tokyo stocks jumped 2.7% as yen's weakness boosted the Japanese exporters. South Korea and China markets delivered a modest rise of 0.3% each. Hong Kong's Hang Seng surged 1.6%.
Asian shares fell broadly yesterday following the sharp losses in Wall Street. Japan's Nikkei index extended its falling streak for the third trading session to a 26-year low. In Seoul, Kospi slumped 3.2%. China market, which is said as one of the world's best performers, saw a most massive drop of 4.6% in Shanghai Composite Index. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index dropped 2.9% with China-related stocks tracking movements in Shanghai.
Most major Asian indexes ended higher on Monday except for the Japan market. Tokyo stocks hit by the bankruptcy of nonbank lender SFCG dropped 2.8% in early trading and ended 0.5% at the close. South Korea's Kospi jumped 3.2%, China's Shanghai Composite added 2% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index surged 3.8%. This morning the Nikkei average extended its tumble after US stocks sank to a record low since 1997.
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.
Yesterday Asian share markets ended broadly lower after Wall Street's massive sell-off over the revised proposal to shore up U.S. banks. Japanese markets were closed for a public holiday. Hong Hong's Hang Seng Index dropped 2.5%, while South Korea's Kospi gave up 0.7%.
Asian markets are expected to be flat today before the US stimulus package is unveiled. Yesterday the major indexes in Asia closed mixed with Shanghai and Hong Kong extended the rising after China's stimulus plan announced last week, while Tokyo and Seoul declined.
Yesterday the Australian shares closed higher led by banks and the resources sector. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index rose 38.7 points, or 1.12 per cent, at 3508.6, while the broader All Ordinaries gained 38.3 points, or 1.12 per cent, at 3445.8. The market is expected to be quiet when investors await the details of the US rescue plan.
