Asian stock markets listless

Asian stock


Most Asian markets were listless Friday as investors were awaited key US job data that could influence the Fed's interest rate policy.


Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index dipped 0.4 percent to 16,853.57 while South Korea's Kospi edged up 0.2 percent to 2,036.82. Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 0.4 percent to 23,254.69.

The Shanghai Composite Index in mainland China crept 0.1 percent higher to 3,065.52. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 lost 0.9 percent to 5,366.10.

Benchmarks in Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand and New Zealand fell while indexes in the Philippines and Indonesia rose.

US stocks ended little changed. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.1 percent to 18,419.30 and the S&P 500 index was practically unchanged at 2,170.86. The Nasdaq composite gained 0.3 percent to 5,227.21.

US benchmark crude oil futures rose 23 cents to $43.39 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

The contract gave up $1.54, or 3.4 percent, to settle at $43.16 a barrel on Thursday. Brent crude, the benchmark for international oil prices, added 24 cents to $45.69 a barrel in London.

The dollar strengthened to 103.31 yen from 103.26 yen in late trading Thursday. The euro rose to $1.1202 from $1.1195, according to a news agency report.

Share on Google Plus

About Jessica Hornberger

This is a short description in the author block about the author. You edit it by entering text in the "Biographical Info" field in the user admin panel.
    Blogger Comment
    Facebook Comment