Asian stocks climbed this week after record customer growth boosted profit at China Mobile Ltd (中國移動) and Sony Corp reported earnings that topped analyst estimates.
China Mobile, the world's largest wireless-phone carrier by users, climbed to a record, and Sony, the second-biggest maker of consumer electronics, had its best week in two months. Posco led South Korea's KOSPI index higher after a report showed the economy grew in the third quarter and billionaire investor Warren Buffett said the nation's shares were attractive.
The Morgan Stanley Capital International Asia-Pacific Index added 1.4 percent to 168.06 this week. India's benchmark led gains in the region. Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines and Pakistan were the only decliners.
China's CSI 300 Index plunged the most since June after the economy expanded more than 11 percent for a third straight quarter, fueling concern borrowing costs will rise.
China Mobile gained 4.3 percent to HK$154.2 in Hong Kong after third-quarter profit rose 38 percent from a year earlier to 22 billion yuan (US$2.9 billion). Sony added 4.5 percent to ?5,560, the most since the five days ended Aug. 24. The Tokyo-based company said profit rose to ?73.7 billion (US$645 million) in the quarter ended Sept. 30 from ?1.7 billion a year earlier.
TAIPEI
Taiwanese share prices closed 0.66 percent higher on hopes that the strength of the local currency will attract foreign capital. Dealers said some industrial and technology shares found favor.
The weighted index closed up 63.25 points at 9,631.51 on turnover of NT$139.41 billion (US$4.3 billion).
"The firmer Taiwan dollar is definitely a clear indicator of foreign interest picking up," Yuanta Core Pacific Securities (
"We are not the only beneficiary of this ongoing spate of [regional] currency appreciation led by the yuan," he said, adding that the local market had lagged its Asian peers and may continue to attract bargain-hunters.
"The Taipei bourse remains a laggard to Hong Kong and Seoul," he said.
Taipei stocks have a good chance of sustaining upward momentum in the short run and may test the year's high of 9,807 points attained in late July, Fang said.
TOKYO
Japanese share prices closed up 1.36 percent, rising for the first time in three days as investors cheered upbeat corporate earnings from major companies such as Sony and Honda.
The NIKKEI-225 index jumped 221.46 points to 16,505.63.
"Share prices reacted positively to earnings today," said Masatoshi Sato, a senior strategist at Mizuho Investors Securities.
HONG KONG
Share prices closed sharply higher, up 1.84 percent, with the key index finishing above the 30,000-point level for the first time, as property stocks extended gains.
Dealers said the sector was buoyed by hopes for an interest rate cut in the US next week.
The Hang Seng index closed up 550.73 points at 30,405.22.
Despite financial sector gains, H-shares finished flat overall as investors locked in profits in some stocks amid worries that China could announce new tightening measures, including an interest rate hike, following Thursday's economic data.
BANGKOK
Thai share prices closed 0.13 percent higher, led by gains in energy stocks as world oil prices rose past 92 dollars per barrel to a new record on tension in the Middle East.
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