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Asian markets trade mostly higher in early deals on Friday
Jan-02-2026
Asian markets traded mostly higher in early deals on Friday, in the thin holiday trading, kindled by the risk appetite in the market amidst bets on future Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, and weaker local currencies. AI enthusiasm and strong earnings from technical sector companies also buoyed the indices. Hang Seng soared in the session and is on track of second straight weekly gain of about 1.0% so far. Stock markets of Japan and China are closed for a holiday.

Straits Times up by 18.81 points or 0.40% to 4,665.02, Hang Seng surge by 591.46 points 2.26% to 26,222.00, Taiwan Weighted rose by 347.26 points or 1.20% to 29,310.86, KOSPI Index increased by 69.89 points or 1.66% to 4,284.06, and Jakarta Composite added by 77.96 points 0.90% to 8,724.90

On the flip side, and FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI index narrow by 11.36 points or 0.68% to 1,668.75.
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