Nikkei: 10,836.64 (+28.35) Hang Seng: 23,301.84 (+144.87) Shanghai Comp: 2,926.96 (+3.07)
ASIAN SHARES extended gains yesterday, as Japanese technology companies benefited from the yen’s recent weakness while Qantas Airways caught a tailwind after reporting first-half earnings.
The MSCI Asia Pacific index advanced 0.7 per cent as investors focused on an improved economic forecast for this year from the US Federal Reserve.
In Tokyo, exporters and oil developers pushed the Nikkei 225 to a nine-month high, up 0.3 per cent to 10,836.64.
Corporate results continued to drive sentiment in Sydney. Australian airline Qantas rose 5.4 per cent to A$2.52 after presenting an upbeat outlook for full-year profits.
In Seoul, Samsung Electronics gained 1 per cent to Won954,000 on hopes it would be able to gain market share from its bigger rival Nokia in the competitive smartphone market.
In Shanghai, property shares felt the pressure of greater government curbs on the sector. Poly Real Estate slid 2.6 per cent to Rmb12.970 after China Central Television said Beijing would ban local residents from buying more than two homes.
