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WORLD STOCK EXCHANGES(Pakistan & Gulf Economist Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) TAIWAN STOCK EXCHANGE Taiwan stocks increased for a 3rd day on Friday after hitting 31-month intraday highs, tracking gains in regional and global markets. The major TAIEX index increased 0.7 percent to 8777.71, building on the last session's 0.94 percent gain. The market has gained 1.3 percent for the last week. Semiconductor shares advanced 1.55 percent. Advanced Semiconductor Engineering Inc, the world's largest chip packaging and testing company, jumped 5.62 percent, while MediaTek Inc, whose chips are popular with low-cost smartphone providers, gained 2.8 percent. Panel maker Innolux Corp was up 2.4 percent, while Asustek Computer Inc, notched a 1.93 percent rise, outperforming the overall electronics subindex, which increased 1.16 percent. SEOUL STOCK EXCHANGE Seoul shares closed almost unchanged on Friday, giving up initial gains as investors tread cautiously ahead of the US nonfarm payroll data due later in the day and an absence of other cues. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) ended down 0.1 percent at 1,974.68 points. The index closed the week 0.3 percent lower, snapping a 3-week winning streak. Foreigners were net buyers for a 3rd straight session, purchasing 21.3 billion won ($20.02 million) of domestic stocks on Friday. TOKYO STOCK EXCHANGE Tokyo stocks increased 0.92 percent on Friday, tracking gains on Wall Street, as the yen weakened ahead of a US February jobs statement. The Nikkei-225 index, which jumped 1.59 percent to a 5-week high on Thursday, added a further 139.32 points to 15,274.07. The Topix index of all 1st section issues rose 0.70 percent, or 8.61 points, to 1,236.97. It is said that as fears over the Ukraine crisis subside, investor sentiment was picking up along with appetite for riskier assets. EUROPEAN STOCK EXCHANGE European shares declined on Friday, amid growing tension over Crimea, as investors tried to shield themselves from the impact of any confrontation between Russia and Ukraine on the weekend. Above-forecast US jobs data briefly helped shares pare their losses. But they turned sharply lower again on reports that a US warship was entering the Black Sea. SRI LANKAN STOCK EXCHANGE Sri Lankan shares closed steady at their highest in more than 2-weeks on Friday, but turnover declined sharply as investors stayed away awaiting direction as the country faces a resolution in the United Nations against its human rights record. The main stock index closed up 0.07 percent at 5,966.06 points, its highest end since February 19. MUMBAI STOCK EXCHANGE India's NSE index increased as much as 2.1 percent to a register high, and the benchmark BSE index hit its record for a 2nd consecutive session, as foreign investors bet big in a country that just months ago was gripped by market turmoil. The broader NSE's all-time high of 6,537.80 points surpassed its last high of 6,415.25 hit on December 9, although the benchmark BSE got there first, hitting a record high on Thursday and again on Friday. LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE Britain's main share index declined to a 3-week ending low on Friday as a landmark corporate bond default in China, the world's top metals consumer, hit major mining stocks. Lingering concerns about the crisis in Ukraine, after Russia's effective seizure of Ukraine's Crimea peninsula also weighed on the market. AUSTRALIAN STOCK EXCHANGE Australian shares added 0.3 percent on Friday on the back of gains on Wall Street, but investors tiptoed cautiously amid the backdrop of tensions in Ukraine and ahead of a crucial US jobs statement. The SandP/ASX 200 index added 16.4 points to 5,462.3, its highest ending level since June 2008. The benchmark added 1.1 percent for the last week. New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index increased 0.2 percent to end at all-time highs of 5,125.7, underpinned by an improving economy. SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCKS EXCHANGE Thai stocks increased to a near 3-month high on Friday, gaining for a 9th straight session on hopes the worst of the political instability in the country was over, while other Southeast Asian markets closed mixed ahead of a main US non-farm payrolls report later in the day. Investors are awaiting US employment data for February that is predicted to provide clues about the pace at which the US Federal Reserve may decline its monthly bond-buying. Thailand's SET index closed 0.2 percent firmer, led by construction shares to its highest end since December 12, after having posted a net foreign inflow of $200 million in the past 5-session through Thursday. On Friday, however, Bangkok stocks registered foreign investment outflow of $11.33 million. Although political turmoil in the country is yet to close, research analyst-PAGE believes the worst of the street unrest is over and energy and tourism-related stocks are predicted to outperform the broader market. Singapore's share index closed 0.2 percent up at a more than 6-week high, gaining for a 4th straight session and posting a 4th straight weekly gain, while Vietnam closed 0.2 percent firmer. Bucking the trend, the Jakarta Composite Index retreated from a more than 5-month high, to end 0.04 percent lower. The Philippines index declined 0.5 percent and Malaysia closed 0.4 percent weaker from a more than 4-week high. Foreign investors, however, snapped up $30.99 million worth of shares in Manila and $9.80 million worth in Jakarta. KARACHI STOCK EXCHANGE A positive sentiment pervaded Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) where the benchmark 100-index gained 50 points to end at 26,892.23 points on Friday up from 26,842.53 points Thursday. After increasing by over 4 percent in 5 consecutive sessions, overall consolidation was seen in the market, said Kamal Hayder, Research analyst-PAGE. Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) remained in the limelight as Shell and PSO were ended with a rise of 5 and 2 percent, respectively. Profit-taking was seen in oil exploration companies and cement stocks. Small-cap stocks remained in the limelight and Maple Leaf led the volume with 26 million shares to end 2.3 percent down followed by TRG with 19 million shares ending at upper cap, he added. Trading took place in 364 scrips, of which 168 went up, 173 went down and that of 23 scrips remained unchanged. Market capitalization rose by Rs 22 billion to Rs 6.494 trillion. On the other hand he also said that rising forex reserves, predictions for favourable Monetary Policy later this month and resumption of government peace talks with TTP played a catalyst role in bullish activity post major earning announcements at KSE. HONG KONG STOCK EXCHANGE Hong Kong shares slipped 0.19 percent on Friday, giving up earlier gains, ahead of a key US jobs description later in the day while traders remain nervous about the Ukraine crisis. The benchmark Hang Seng Index declined 42.48 points to 22,660.49 on turnover of HK$69.50 billion. While the crisis in Ukraine is still to be resolved, investors are focused on economic fundamentals, with the US Labour Department because of release its closely watched non-farm payrolls report on Friday. The data will give investors new clues about the state of the US economy and could provide some thought about the Federal Reserve's plans for its stimulus program. However, while a strong jobless claims report helped US shares mostly higher, dealers went into selling mode in the afternoon owing to ongoing tensions in Ukraine as US President Barack Obama laid down a tough issue to Moscow's support for a referendum in Ukraine's Crimea on joining Russia. |