Asia-Pacific markets mostly climbed Thursday, after U.S. markets soared on the back of an unexpected decline in core inflation numbers in December and strong bank earnings.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 regained 128.02 points, or 0.3%, to 38,572.60. Japan’s annual producer price index climbed 3.8% in December, in line with expectations of economists polled by Reuters.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index powered ahead 236.82 points, or 1.2%, to 19,522.89.
Korea’s central bank surprised market watchers by keeping benchmark rates unchanged at 3%. Economists polled by Reuters had expected the Bank of Korea to cut its policy rate by 25 basis points. The Korean won last weakened slightly to trade at 1,456.91 against the greenback.
Australian markets climbed, as The country’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for December rose slightly to 4% from November’s 3.9%, in line with estimates by economists polled by Reuters.
In other markets
China’s CSI 300 recovered 4.35 points, or 0.1%, to 3,800.38.
In Singapore, the Straits Times index restocked 28.55 points, or 0.8%. to 3,801.13
In Korea, the Kospi index moved upward 30.68 points, or 1.2%, to 2,527.49.
In Taiwan, the Taiex index popped 510.53 points, or 2.3%, to 23,025.10
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 added 57.1 points, or 0.4%, to 13,000.67.
In Australia, the ASX 200 surged 113.69 points, or 1.4%, to 8,326.96
