Major stock market indexes in the Asia-Pacific region traded higher on Friday, the last complete day of trade this year. Gains in China were seemingly propelled by Beijing's decision to steer from its zero-COVID policy, while markets in Japan and Australia tracked Wall Street higher on hopes that the Fed would rethink its moves on rates after the latest jobless claims report.
At 3:35 am CET, the Australian S&P/ASX 200 increased by 0.52%, as Hong Kong's Hang Seng and Japan's Nikkei 225 added 0.41% and 0.29%, respectively. In mainland China, the Shanghai Composite increased by 0.38% at 3:36 am CET, with the Shenzhen Composite adding 0.30% a minute later.
The dollar went 0.29% down against the yen to go for 132.6345 at 3:38 am CET.
Markets in South Korea are closed for the holidays.
