Asia’s regional benchmark index fell this week as materials companies led declines and investors awaited monthly US jobs data, while China’s stocks swung the most since 2010 as turnover topped 1 trillion yuan (US$163 billion) for the first time.
BHP Billiton Ltd, the world’s biggest mining company, retreated 1.5 percent in Sydney.
In Hong Kong, Kunlun Energy Co (昆侖能源) fell 2.1 percent after Brent crude extended a four-year low, while Haitong Securities Co (海通證券) jumped the most on record over talks to buy Portugal’s Banco Espirito Santo de Investimento SA.
The MSCI Asia Pacific Index had fallen less than 0.1 percent to 140.62 as of 4:43pm in Hong Kong on Friday to be on track to post a loss of less than 0.1 percent for the week.
In Taipei, the TAIEX fell 0.20 percent, or 18.54 points, on Friday to finish the week on 9,206.57, compared with 9,187.15 on Nov. 28.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (台積電) slipped 1.08 percent to NT$137.50, while Acer Inc (宏碁) rose 0.97 percent to NT$20.90.
The Shanghai Composite Index closed 1.3 percent higher on Friday after erasing a 3 percent decline to post its best weekly gain since February 2009.
“The release of the US jobs figure is likely to dictate caution amongst traders,” said Ric Spooner, Sydney-based chief markets analyst at CMC Markets Australia.
“While the US economy continues to expand at a moderate pace, there has been some patchiness in recent data including consumer confidence, personal spending and durable goods orders. Against that background, markets will be looking for assurance that the momentum of jobs growth is being sustained in the US,” he added.
The Shanghai Composite Index swung 165 points in the first 90 minutes of trading on Friday. The gauge has surged 21 percent over the past month, the most among 93 global equity indices.
The rally, which has coincided with increased leverage and a surprise interest rate cut, is spurring China-based investors to open share accounts at the fastest pace in three years and sending trading values to record highs. The gauge ended the day 1.3 percent higher.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index added 0.7 percent, while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index of Chinese firms listed in the territory climbed 1 percent to a nine-month high.
In Japan, the TOPIX added 0.4 percent as the yen weakened past ¥120 to the US dollar, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index lost 0.6 percent, and New Zealand’s NZX 50 Index and South Korea’s KOSPI were both little changed.
Elsewhere in the region, Jakarta ended up 0.21 percent, or 10.83 points, at 5,187.99, while Malaysia’s main stock index gained 0.21 percent, or 3.68 points, to close at 1,749.37 and Singapore rose 0.59 percent, or 19.57 points, to finish on 3,324.39.
Friday’s gains came despite disappointment that the European Central Bank refused to embark on any new stimulus at its policy meeting, even though it cut its already weak growth and inflation forecasts for the eurozone.
In other markets on Friday:
Wellington was flat from Thursday, edging up 0.77 points to 5,522.68.
Manila closed 1.22 percent, or 88.71 points, lower to end at 7,211.14.
Mumbai fell 0.37 percent, or 104.72 points, to end at 28,458.10.
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