Asia-Pacific, US equities mixed as Europe’s markets gain

Asia-Pacific equities markets were mixed on Friday. Among gainers, the Straits Times index added 0.15 percent to 3,557.95 in Singapore. Taiwan’s Taiex index was up 0.32 percent to 8,722.38. In Australia, the Sydney Ordinaries gained 0.8 percent to 6,714 while the S&P/ASX200 was 0.82 percent higher to 6,654.7. The Sensex added 0.86 percent to 19,966 and the Shanghai Composite jumped 1.13 percent to 5,091.76. Losers included South Korea’s Kospi index, which fell 0.97 percent to 1,934.32 and the Hang Seng, which was 2.42 percent lower to 28,842.47 in Hong Kong.

Tokyo’s markets were also mixed. The Nikkei 225 added 0.52 percent to 15,956.37 and the Topix index gained 0.61 percent to 1,561.76, but the Mothers market was 2.91 percent lower to 885.23. The real estate sector and house builders saw gains on hopes that the US plan to freeze interest rates on some subprime mortgages might loosen credit markets. Traders were higher on overnight gains in oil and metals prices, while exporters were helped by a weakening yen.

Equities made gains in Europe. The Eurofirst 300 added 0.69 percent to 1,538.51. In Frankfurt, the Dax was up 0.67 percent to 7,994.07 while the CAC-40 and the IBEX each added 0.79 percent to 5,718.75 and 15,819.6 respectively. Many sectors, including carmakers, banks and the steel sector, were mixed on the session, while insurers saw gains.

In London, the FTSE 100 added 1.07 percent to 6,554.9 and the FTSE 250 gained 1.31 percent to 10,632.9. Miners, home builders and banks all saw gains. The telecommunications sector was mixed, but gainers added more than decliners lost. The oil sector was also mixed.

Wall Street ended the session mixed. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.04 percent to 13,625.58, adding only 5.69 points, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.11 percent to 2,706 and the S&P 500 fell 0.18 percent to 1,504.66. All three indices were higher on the week, however, adding 1.9 percent, 1.7 percent, and 1.6 percent respectively. The aerospace sector saw gains, while the biotech sector and credit card issuers both declined on the session.

Story link: Asia-Pacific, US equities mixed as Europe’s markets gain