Asian markets close higher as the dollar extends rally

Asian stocks ended mostly higher on Friday as the greenback returned to the bullish vias following an overnight drop, with market players awaiting FOMC speakers later in the session.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 was up 0.72 percent or 156.34 points to finish at 21,892.78, with oil-related components providing support as the US Energy Information Administration reported a decline in supplies for the week ended February 16.

On the data front, the Nippon core consumer price index increased 0.9 percent in January against a 0.8 percent build seen. Technology and automakers also traded upwards.

In Sydney, the S&P/ASX 200 was also up at a closing mark of 5,999.8, with miners such as Rio Tinto and BHP adding nearly one percent in average despite a stronger dollar.

The US dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major currencies, was trading 0.20 percent higher at 89.84 by the time of this writing.

Seoul’s Kospi index added 1.54 percent to 2,451.52, with technology heavyweights contributing most gains. Samsung Electronics rose 0.98 percent in the session.

Markets in China showed moderate gains: the Shanghai composite increased by 0.63 percent to 3,289.24 and the Shenzhen composite finished 0.18 percent to the upside.

<<< Asian Stock Indexes >>>

Australia ASX S&P +47.50 +0.78% 6,105.20

Shanghai Composite +20.47 +0.63% 3,289.02

Hong Kong Hang Seng +302.47 +0.98% 31,268.15

Japan Nikkei 225 +156.34 +0.72% 21,892.78

Taiwan TSEC 50 Index +132.17 +1.24% 10,794.55

<<< Next in Europe >>>

Ahead in today’s session, attention will be directed to the European consumer price index for January, scheduled for release at 10:00 GMT.

<<< Next in United States >>>

Ahead in the day, no macroeconomic reports are due for release, so attention will rather shift to speeches from FOMC members Dudley and Rosengren at 15:15 GMT, Mester at 18:30 GMT and Williams at 20:40 GMT.

FortFS