Asia higher ahead of Fed move
Other Asian markets also were broadly higher, with South Korea putting on almost 2 percent and gains of 1 percent or more in Australia and Taiwan.
In Japan, Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. bounced back as concerns faded over additional tax payments the company may face.
Nippon Oil Corp. rose as its announcement to raise wholesale gasoline prices from July increased its chances of higher earnings.
Other stocks with profit growth potential were also in favor ahead of the Federal Reserves eagerly-awaited decision on interest rates later in the day (Full story).
More : edition.cnn.com
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Asia Roundup: Marts end week mostly higher
Asian stocks closed mostly higher yesterday but gains were capped by limited profit- taking ahead of the release of key US employment data due out later in the day.
Tokyo closed flat, while mild gains were registered in Hong Kong, Seoul, Singapore, Manila, Wellington and Kuala Lumpur which was also buoyed by company tax cuts announced in the Governments latest budget.
Mutual funds supported a solid finish in Mumbai while Bangkok and Jakarta were sharply higher on improved inflation numbers.
Shanghai and Sydney were lower as profit-taking won out on the day.
More : btimes.com.my
Asia Roundup: Technical rebound for regions stocks
HONG KONG: Asian stocks closed mostly higher yesterday in a technical bounce following a sell-off last week prompted by an unexpected increase in Chinese interest rates.
Dealers said the sell-down had been over-done and created buying opportunities with sentiment strong enough to offset the negative impact of overnight falls on Wall Street.
Shanghai was closed for a holiday.
TOKYO: Share prices closed 1.35 per cent higher as a weaker yen, which helps exporters, encouraged buying ahead of a three-day national holiday.
The Nikkei-225 index advanced 228.06 points to 17,153.77. Volume was 1.44 million shares, up from 1.32
FX Asia: Taiwan Dollar Sets Sight On New 2006 Low
The New Taiwan dollar is increasingly favored in carry trades as low interest rates and heightening political tensions with the Chinese mainland make the currency a cheap funding vehicle for purchases of higher-yielding units such as the Thai baht.
Although the Taiwan dollar is recovering from falls earlier in the week thanks to a resurgent Japanese yen, its longer-term outlook remains grim.
Technical charts, in particular, are pointing to fresh lows ahead for the currency, already facing pressure ahead of Taiwan's Peace Memorial Day on Feb. 28 when some are expecting
Treasuries ease in Asia ahead of auction
U.S. Treasuries eased in Asia on Wednesday ahead of an auction of 10-year notes, although analysts said the Federal Reserves decision to keep interest rates unchanged was generally positive for bonds.
The Fed held rates at 5.25 percent after its policy meeting on Tuesday, ending a two-year run of consecutive rate rises.
While the accompanying policy statement left open the possibility of more rate rises, some analysts saw the overall tone as friendly for the bond market. I basically think (Fed) rate rises are over. When you look at yesterdays statement it seems an
Gold in Asia Falls as Dollar Gains on Prospect of Higher Rates
Gold in Asia declined as the U.S. dollar gained the most against the euro in more than two months yesterday, eroding the precious metal's appeal as an alternative investment.
The U.S. currency rose on expectations the Federal Reserve may increase interest rates faster this year than the European Central Bank. Higher rates make holding gold less attractive because the metal has no fixed returns, unlike bonds.
``The hawkish comments coming out of the Fed that they are going to raise interest rates if inflation gets out of control
