South Korea
The Kospi closed at 727.26, its second weekly rise and its highest since Dec. 3. Samsung Electronics, which generates about a fifth of its sales in the US, rallied 4.4 percent this week to 426,000 won. LG Electronics Inc, South Korea's second-largest electronics maker, added 4.8 percent to 52,000 won.
A US Labor Department report said initial jobless claims were 388,000 last week, less than expected by economists polled by Bloomberg. An index of Chicago-area manufacturing rose to 55.9 in July from 52.5 in June, beating some economists expectations. A reading of more than 50 suggests expansion.
"The positive reports boosted optimism" in the stock markets, said Park Jae Hwan, who helps manage the equivalent of $678 million at KB Investment Trust Management Co in Seoul.
"Economic growth has risen to a safer level," Park said.
Australia, India
Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose 1.4 percent this week to 3140.30, its highest since September.
News Corp, which makes three-quarters of its sales in the US, added 1.7 percent to A$11.80 this week. The world's fifth-largest media company owns the Fox television network and the New York Post newspaper.
BHP Billiton, the world's largest miner by sales, climbed 2.3 percent this week to A$10.08, its highest since Jan. 3. It makes more than a 10th of its sales in North America.
"There's sufficient economic stimulus to generate solid economic growth in the second half," said Hans Kunnen, who helps manage the equivalent of US$52 billion of stocks and bonds at Colonial First State Investments, the largest fund manager in Australia.
RSS