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Asian markets trade mostly higher in early deals on Friday
Sep-12-2025
Asian markets traded mostly higher in early deals on Friday, buoyed by the expectations of an imminent Federal Reserve interest rate cut after evidence of a cooling labor market and contained inflation. Technology and semiconductor stocks led the rally in the local indices. Hang Seng soared to highest in over four years and is on track to mark a second straight weekly gain of about 4%. Report that Beijing may direct state banks to help local governments cover unpaid bills kindled the investor sentiments.

Nikkei 225 up by 388.50 points or 0.88% to 44,761.00, Hang Seng rose by 405.68 points or 1.56% to 26,492.00, Taiwan Weighted enlarged by 156.20 points or 0.62% to 25,371.91, KOSPI Index increased by 47.81 points or 1.43% to 3,392.01, Jakarta Composite lifted by 80.76 points or 1.03% to 7,828.67 Shanghai Composite buoyed by 10.36 points or 0.27% to 3,885.67, and FTSE Bursa Malaysia higher by 6.57 points or 0.42% to 1,589.42

On the flip side, Straits Times down by 14.47 points or 0.33% to 4,341.35.

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