Asia report: Most markets up as Brexit fears ease

Major markets in Asia closed higher on Friday, capping off a turbulent week as concerns about the threat of Brexit eased somewhat, and after US stocks broke a five day losing streak on Thursday.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 received a boost from a weaker yen, closing up 1.07% to 15,599.66.

The yen has strengthened against the dollar for much of this week, and it began to creep on the greenback again after Asian markets closed.

It was last 0.04% stronger at JPY 104.33 per USD.

The country’s finance minister Taro Aso told media on Friday that he is deeply concerned about “one-sided, rapid and speculative moves” seen in the yen, and vowed to respond if necessary to maintain stability in currencies.

Most major Japanese exporters were un on Friday, with Nissan up 1.2%, Sony adding 0.68% and Toyota finishing up 2.65%.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite Index closed up 0.43% to 2,885.04, while the Shenzhen Composite grew 0.81% to 1,900.73.

In South Korea, the Kospi finished up 0.07% at 1,953.40, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index added 0.66% to 20,169.98.

Global uncertainty around the risk of the UK leaving the European Union has been a major theme of the markets this week, with several surveys and polls showing public opinion almost evenly split on the issue.

Campaigning for the referendum was halted on Thursday, however, after pro-EU Labour MP Jo Cox was shot and killed in her constituency.

West Yorkshire Police said they arrested a 52-year-old man after the incident and are not looking for anyone else, although the reasons for the attack were still not clear.

“It is a tragic event. I have to say it may change the psychology of the campaign,” UNSW Business School Institute of Global Finance director Fariborz Moshirian told CNBC.

“And those who are pro-EU might benefit from this tragic event.”

Oil prices advanced during Asian hours, with Brent crude last up 1.63% at $47.97 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate adding 1.07% to $46.71.

In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 added 0.32% to close at 5,162.70, boosted by a 0.72% rise in the weighty financials subindex.

Energy plays in the country were mixed, with Santos adding 0.94% but Oil Search closing down 0.45%.

Over in New Zealand, the S&P/NZX 50 slid 0.6% to 6,847.06, with local analysts still pointing to the risk of Brexit.

“Markets are not quite sure whether to go up or down at the moment as investors try to weigh the odds of Brexit occurring," said Matthew Goodson, managing director of Salt Funds Management.

Both of the down under dollars gains on the greenback, with the Kiwi ahead by 0.06% at NZD 1.4189 per USD and the Aussie 0.29% stronger at AUD 1.3544.