Tokyo, Japan (BBN)– Shares in Asia were in positive territory on Friday after minutes from the US Federal Reserve’s latest meeting suggested it may wait to raise rates.
The September minutes revealed the Fed thought the US economy could have coped with an interest rate rise, reports BBC.
However, the members of the Federal Open Markets Committee had decided it was “prudent to wait” for more information before making a move.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 index was up 0.74 per cent at 18,278.83 in mid morning trade.
Fast Retailing, which owns Uniqlo, was not trading in positive territory however after the firm’s latest profits and sales forecasts disappointed investors. It’s shares were down more than 9.0 per cent in Tokyo trade.
Elsewhere in Asia
Investors will be closely watching mainland Chinese shares again on Friday after the benchmark Shanghai Composite closed 3.0 per cent higher on Thursday following a week-long public holiday.
The mainland index was up just 0.52 per cent in morning trade at 3,160.69, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index was leading gains in the region, up 1.59 per cent at 22,708.86.
In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 was up 0.81 per cent at 5,251.90 points.
South Korea’s markets are closed for a national day holiday.
BBN/SSR/AD
