Asian shares up after Wall Street rally
A man looks at a stock price chart on a street in Tokyo on March 10, 2014. Asian markets rose on Tuesday, March 18, following a Wall Street rally as traders shrugged off growing tensions between the West and Russia following Crimea’s vote for Kremlin rule. AP PHOTO/EUGENE HOSHIKO
HONG KONG—Asian markets rose on Tuesday following a Wall Street rally as traders shrugged off growing tensions between the West and Russia following Crimea’s vote for Kremlin rule.
After the weekend vote, the result of which was widely expected, attention turned to economic matters. Better than expected US data provided support as investors await the Federal Reserve’s latest policy meeting.
Tokyo rose 0.94 percent, or 133.60 points, to 14,411.27, Seoul added 0.66 percent, or 12.68 points, to close at 1,940.21 and Sydney advanced 0.51 percent, or 27.0 points, to 5,344.6.
Hong Kong climbed 0.51 percent, or 109.55 points to 21,583.50 while Shanghai closed flat, edging up 1.52 points to 2,025.20.
The United States and European Union on Monday slapped sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle, a day after Crimeans voted overwhelmingly to return to Moscow’s fold.
Western governments said they would freeze assets of key Russian presidential aides and lawmakers and target Crimean “separatist” leaders as well as ousted former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych.
And President Barack Obama warned of further measures if Moscow continues to intervene in Ukraine.
“The Ukraine situation remains delicate, but at least has not spilled over into violence, despite the opposition by Western powers,” said Daiwa Securities senior strategist Tsuyoshi Nomaguchi.
However, Kathy Lien of BK Asset Management, said: “The bottom line is that it is very difficult to be optimistic under these circumstances because of the material risk that the crisis in the Ukraine will deepen.”
After last week’s heavy sell-off in New York, US shares bounced back on Monday. The Dow jumped 1.13 percent, the S&P 500 gained 0.96 percent and the Nasdaq added 0.81 percent.
US traders were buoyed by data showing industrial output increased more than expected in February, adding to a growing feeling that the world’s No. 1 economy is on a recovery track.
The Fed begins a two-day policy meeting Tuesday that analysts forecast will see a further cut in its stimulus program.
On forex markets, the dollar fetched 101.60 yen compared with 101.68 yen in New York Monday, while the euro bought $1.3910 and 141.33 yen against $1.3921 and 141.58 yen.
Oil prices rose, with New York’s main contract, West Texas Intermediate for April delivery, up eight cents to $98.16 in afternoon trade. Brent North Sea crude gained 46 cents to $106.70 for its May contract.
Gold fetched $1,362.05 an ounce at 1050 GMT compared with $1,378.76 late Monday.
In other markets:
— Mumbai rose 0.10 percent, or 22.81 points, to end at 21,832.61 points.
Maruti Suzuki rose 7.58 percent, or 131.75 rupees, to 1,868.85 rupees per share while Financial Technologies gained 4.99 percent, or 18.00 rupees, to 378.95 rupees per share.
— Jakarta ended down 1.45 percent, or 70.58 points, at 4,805.61.
Lender Bank Permata gained 3.07 percent to 1,345 rupiah, while palm oil firm Wilmar Cahaya Indonesia fell 4.81 percent to 1,485 rupiah.
— Kuala Lumpur gained 5.54 points, or 0.36 percent, to 1,820.70.
Financial firm CIMB Group Holdings rose 0.7 percent to 7.05 ringgit, while Telekom Malaysia added 1.2 percent to 5.87. Axiata Group lost 0.2 percent to 6.49 ringgit.
— Singapore closed up 0.05 percent, or 1.70 points, at 3,093.84.
Jardine Cycle and Carriage rose 4.03 percent to Sg$43.84 while Singapore Telecommunications eased 0.57 percent to Sg$3.52.
— Bangkok lost 0.29 percent, or 4.02 points, to 1,373.08.
Thai Airways fell 3.97 percent to 14.50 baht, while power giant Electricity Generating Public Co. lost 3.00 percent to 129.50 baht.
— Taipei added 0.37 percent, or 31.84 points, to 8,731.94.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. rose 0.44 percent to Tw$114.5, while smartphone maker HTC fell 0.66 percent to Tw$150.0.
— Wellington ended up 0.94 percent, or 47.64 points, at 5,135.66.
Fletcher Building advanced 1.46 percent to NZ$9.74 and Telecom gained 1.41 percent to NZ$2.515.
— Manila jumped 1.04 percent, or 66.56 points, to 6,466.55.
Ayala Land rose 2.30 percent to 28.95 pesos and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. added 1.20 percent to 2,698 pesos.
