Asian stocks closed sharply higher on Friday, extending the latest rally after a strong overnight performance by Wall Street was fueled by a fall in US jobless claims.
This inspired investors here who are gearing-up for a traditional end of year rally, resulting in Sydney, Singapore, Jakarta and Wellington all striking record closing highs.
Shanghai rose 0.62 percent with its composite index striking an all-time high, Hong Kong was up 1.01 percent and nearing its best ever finish.
Tokyo, trading at its best levels since May, was up 0.51 percent while Manila gained 0.81 percent for its best finish in nine years.
Kuala Lumpur surged 1.29 percent, Mumbai gained 0.94 percent, Taipei rose 0.78 percent and Seoul rose by a more modest 0.25 percent.
TAIPEI
Share prices closed 0.78 percent higher as Wall Street's overnight rally helped the market extend Thursday's technical rebound following a correction earlier in the week.
Dealers said sentiment was also supported by foreign investors' net purchases a day earlier after their sell-off in the previous three days.
The weighted index closed up by 58.41 points at 7,538.82 on turnover of NT$106.20 billion (US$3.26 billion).
Fubon Securities senior vice president Frank Lin attributed Friday's gains to the lead in New York and apparent foreign interest.
"Foreign investors apparently continued to buy into the local bourse today, encouraging local ones to follow suit," he said.
He said liquidity-driven interest lent support to the broad market as well.
Companies with a presence in the China market and asset-backed firms attracted rotational buying.
"Year-end window-dressing activities and companies' prospects next year will be the main factors affecting the stock market next week," Lin noted.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co rose 0.80 to NT$64.90.
TOKYO
Share prices closed up 0.51 percent at a fresh seven-month high after a central bank survey showed business sentiment at its strongest level since September 2004.
Dealers said that a further weakening of the yen against the dollar helped support the exporters, leading to a week of five straight winning sessions.
The Nikkei-225 gained 85.11 points to 16,914.31. Volume increased to 1.66 billion shares from 1.51 billion shares on Thursday.
Masayoshi Yano, chief strategist at Tokai Tokyo Research Center, said the market was buoyed by the Bank of Japan's quarterly Tankan survey while the weak yen continued to support exporters.
SEOUL
Shares closed 0.25 percent higher on investor relief that the "triple witching" expiry of futures and options contracts on Thursday had gone smoothly, with a firmer Wall Street also providing support.
Dealers said the won's retreat added to the positive tone, helping the key exporters. It finished at 923.20 against the US dollar compared with 920.50 on Thursday.
Interest, however, was not strong with investors playing it safe before the weekend and after a rise of more than 2 percent on Thursday.
HONG KONG
Share prices closed 1.01 percent higher, ending the week with a solid gain as fresh fund inflows and strong performances by new listings added to positive sentiment arising from a record close on Wall Street overnight.
Dealers said buying was seen across the board amid heavy turnover as new listings China Communications Construction and Shanghai Jin Jiang International Hotels drew strong interest.
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