HONG KONG: Asian markets mostly rose yesterday as an index of Chinese manufacturing activity hit an 18-month high in July, boosting hopes for the world’s number two economy, as concerns over the Ukraine crisis eased.
The euro fell to fresh multi-month lows against the dollar and yen as investors fretted over the impact of sanctions on Russia over its links to rebels in Ukraine who have been blamed with shooting down a Malaysian airliner.
Shanghai rallied 1.28 per cent, or 26.57 points, to 2,105.06.
Sydney recorded its seventh straight gain, rising 0.20 percent, or 11.1 points, to close at 5587.8.
But Tokyo slipped 0.29 per cent, or 44.14 points, to 15,284.42 and Seoul ended marginally lower, dipping 1.70 points to end at 2,026.62.
Banking giant HSBC said its preliminary purchasing managers index of manufacturing activity for this month jumped to 52 from 50.7 in June.
In other markets:
q Taipei rose 0.30 per cent, or 28.18 points, to 9,527.54. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co added 0.4 per cent to T$125 while smartphone maker HTC fell 0.35 per cent to T$141.
q Wellington gained 0.55 per cent, or 28.18 points, to 5,174.71. Fletcher Building was up 0.88 per cent at NZ$9.15 and Telecom advanced 1.03 per cent to NZ$2.93.
q Manila ended marginally lower, dipping 3.03 points to 6,889.89. Metropolitan Bank and Trust fell 1.36 per cent to 87.30 pesos while Alliance Global Group dropped 1.11 per cent to 26.70 pesos.
q Jakarta ended up 0.11 per cent, or 5.41 points, at 5,098.64. State-controlled miner Aneka Tambang gained 11.45 per cent to 1,265 rupiah, while retailer Hero Supermarket slipped 4.03 per cent to 2,855 rupiah.
q Bangkok added 0.15 per cent, or 2.36 points, to 1,543.92. Coal producer Banpu gained 4.76 per cent to 33.00 baht, while Thai Tap Water soared 5.83 per cent to 12.70 baht.
q Mumbai rose 0.48 per cent, or 124.52 points, to 26,271.85. Financial Technologies India gained 10 per cent to 365.75 rupees and UCO Bank added 5.83 per cent to 107.95 rupees. AFP