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Asian markets open higher following US gains | Asian markets open higher following US gains |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Asian markets traded mostly higher, following gains on Wall Street after US government data showed strength in the world's largest economy. | |
Retail sales in November beat forecasts, while weekly jobless claims fell in a stronger labour market. | Retail sales in November beat forecasts, while weekly jobless claims fell in a stronger labour market. |
That led the Dow Jones to close up 0.4%, while the broader S&P 500 gained 0.5%. | That led the Dow Jones to close up 0.4%, while the broader S&P 500 gained 0.5%. |
In Japan, the benchmark Nikkei 225 was up 1.3% at 17,479.62 after losing nearly 4% in the last three days. | |
The dollar was at 119.20 yen in early trade compared to 118.65 yen in the New York session. | |
Investors are also keeping a close eye on elections this weekend as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe seeks a mandate to delay another increase to the country's sales tax. | Investors are also keeping a close eye on elections this weekend as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe seeks a mandate to delay another increase to the country's sales tax. |
Shares of Canon surged 4.1%, to their highest since May 2013, after an upward revision to its year-end dividend forecast. | |
China's markets opened higher as investors awaited retail sales data, due later in the day, anticipating signs of growth in the economy. | |
Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was up 0.4% at 23,413.5, while on the mainland, the Shanghai Composite was up 0.5% at 2,939.74. | |
Australian shares were down 0.4% with the S&P/ASX 200 at 5,212.8 after it closed down for third consecutive day on Thursday. | |
In South Korea, the benchmark Kospi index was up 0.4% at 1,923.55. |