Japanese stocks acquired some muscle on Thursday as the U.S. dollar's strength against the yen did its bit to whet risk appetite while the Bank of Japan kept its current pace of asset buying in light of the most recent recession.
The Nikkei 225 hurtled 210.63 points, or 1.1%, higher to 19,859.81, a fresh three-month peak.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng sprang to life 311.96 points, or 1.4%, to 22,500.22
The Japan central bank announced it was maintaining its current pace of monetary stimulus after a policy meeting on Thursday, signaling hope for economic recovery despite concerns over domestic capital expenditure and lingering fears over a global economic slowdown.
The news was also positive in Hong Kong, with investors encouraged by Wednesday’s rally on Wall Street and a major rebound in mainland markets.
All major sectors of the Hong Kong market rose, with energy and financials leading the gains.
Geely Automobile Holdings, for example, jumped more than 5%, after the Chinese automaker said it planned to concentrate entirely on developing green energy vehicles, giving the go-by to traditional combustion engines and overhauling its product portfolio.
CHINA
The CSI 300 in Shanghai recovered 59.39 points, or 1.6%, to 3,774.97, amid fresh optimism over the deep pockets of Chinese consumers, and how those consumers plan to empty those pockets.
A study by a think tank known as Demand Institute reveals that China's consumers are projected to spend more than up to $6.4 trillion U.S. a year by 2025, or about a 70% increase from the $3.7 trillion that consumers in China spent last year.
Overall, says the study, consumption is estimated to grow by an average of 5.2% a year over the next decade, as wages rise and the Chinese become more ambitious in their spending, even as overall economic growth slows.
In other markets
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index regained 33.75 points, or 1.2%, to 2,919.83
The Kospi index in Korea restored 26.03 points, or 1.3%, to 1,988.91
Taiwan’s Taiex index bolted higher 136.73 points, or 1.6%, to 8,477.20
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 added 15.44 points, or 0.3%, to 5,995.25
The ASX 200 popped 109.45 points, or 2.1%, to 5,242.57
