Asian markets gain on US jobs data, oil prices

Hopes about the US Jobs data boosted sentiments about an improving world economy and helped Asian markets to gain today. The markets ended in the green ahead of the US monthly employment data. Markets were also buoyed by oil prices which rose to a seven-month high.

The Hang Seng gained 177 points (1%) at 18,680. The Nikkei added 99 points (1%) to 9,768.

The Straits Times moved up 29 points(1.2%) to 2,392. The Seoul Composite advanced 17 points (1.2%) to 1,395.

On the other hand, the Taiwan Weighted slipped 19 points to 6,767. The Shanghai Composite shed 13 points to 2,754.
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(Updated at 1127 hrs)

Asian markets are trading flat this morning. US monthly job data worries have made investors wary.

The Nikkei has advanced 72 poinst to 9,741. The Hang Seng, however, has slipped 40 points to 18,463.

The Straits Times has added 14 points to 2,376. The Seoul Composite and the Shanghai Composite are flat at 1,384 and 2,770.

The Taiwanb Weighted has shed 20 points to 6,767.
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(Updated at 0823 hrs)

The Hang Seng has added 47 points to Rs 18,550. The Nikkei has advanced 57 points to 9,726. The stock rose 0.6% on Friday, boosted by resource and tech shares after the US data revealed that the economy is recovering.

The Shanghai Composite has gained seven points at 2,774.

The Straits Times and the Taiwan Weighted Index are up 25 points each at 2,387 and 6,811, respectively.

The Seoul Composite is flat at 1,380.