AFP

Tokyo

Asian markets mostly rose yesterday on the first full day of trade after the Christmas break, with confidence boosted by Chinese easing measures and another Wall Street record.

Shares in AirAsia tumbled after one of the budget carrier’s jets went missing with 162 people on board Sunday.

Hong Kong rallied 1.82%, or 423.84 points, to 23,773.18 and Shanghai added 0.33%, or 10.42 points, to 3,168.02.

Sydney finished up 1.47%, or 79.3 points, at 5,473.8.

But Tokyo ended 0.50% lower, giving up morning gains as the yen ticked up against the dollar. The Nikkei slipped 89.12 points to 17,729.84.

Seoul shed 1.04%, or 20.30 points, to end at 1,927.86.

In other markets, Taipei rose 0.74%, or 67.78 points, to 9,286.28; Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co gained 1.81% to Tw$141.0, while Hon Hai Precision Industry closed 0.68% lower at Tw$87.8.

Wellington added 0.63%, or 34.91 points, to 5,592.33.

Manila closed up 0.62%, or 44.25 points, at 7,230.57; Universal Robina gained 1.29% to 2.50 pesos but Philippine Long Distance Telephone dipped 0.07% to 2,906 pesos.

Bangkok fell 0.81%, or 12.19 points, to 1,498.22; media operator BEC World fell 3.85% to 50baht, while oil company PTT lost 1.21% to 326baht.

Jakarta ended up 0.22%, or 11.39 points, at 5,178.37; retailers Ramayana Lestari Sentosa gained 5.48% to 770 rupiah, while lender Bank Negara Indonesia slipped 0.81% to 6,100 rupiah.

Singapore closed up 0.42%, or 14.01 points, to 3,367.69; DBS Bank gained 1.03% to Sg$20.56 while oil rig maker Keppel Corp rose 1.14% to Sg$8.85.

Kuala Lumpur gained 0.23%, or 3.97 points, to 1,768.41.

With most bourses closed at the end of last week, yesterday was the first time dealers could react to the positive news out of the US and China. On Wall Street Friday the Dow notched its seventh straight gain, advancing 0.13% to another record, while the S&P 500 jumped 0.33%, also a hitting an all-time high following news that the US economy grew five% in July-September. The Nasdaq gained 0.70%.

The growth rate was the best in 11 years and is yet another indicator showing the world’s number one economy is well on the recovery track.

It will also add to calls for the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates next year, boosting the dollar against the yen, although the Japanese unit recovered yesterday.

In Tokyo trade the greenback was at ¥120.33, compared with ¥120.37 in New York Friday. The dollar had touched ¥120.60 earlier yesterday before profit-takers moved in.

The euro bought $1.2177 and ¥146.5, against $1.2179 and ¥146.59.

Adding to buying confidence was news that China’s State Council late Wednesday announced preferential policies for manufacturers, including a promise to extend financial support, especially to large-scale equipment makers, to expand their exports.

The move is the latest by Beijing to kick-start the Chinese economy, which has been hit by a series of weak data, including on exports, manufacturing, consumer spending and investment.

Kuala Lumpur-listed shares in AirAsia shed 12% at one point on news that the plane from its Indonesian affiliate went down in the Java Sea Sunday morning.

They recovered slightly to be down 8.50% at the close.

Oil prices rose after fresh violence erupted in Libya. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for February delivery gained 61 cents to $55.34 while Brent crude for February was up 48 cents to $59.93.

Forces loyal to Libya’s internationally recognised government on Sunday carried out air strikes against Islamist militias following attacks on the crucial Al-Sidra oil export terminal.

The Fajr Libya group has been been trying to take Al-Sidra and the nearby Ras Lanuf terminal since Thursday.

Seven oil storage tanks at Al-Sidra were set on fire as a result of the fighting.

Since fresh clashes erupted around the export terminals on December 13, Libya’s oil production has dropped to fewer than 350,000 barrels per day compared with 800,000 previously, industry experts say.

Gold was at $1,193.84 an ounce, compared with $1,196.96 Friday.