Asia report: Markets finish up as dollar edged higher

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 was ahead 0.72% at 21,892.78, as the yen clawed back some of its losses against the dollar, last strengthening 0.02% to JPY 106.73.

Fresh data released during the day showed a 0.9% year-on-year rise in core consumer prices in Japan for January - just ahead of the 0.8% expected by the market.

Among the big oil stocks in Tokyo, Inpex rose 2.12% and JXTG Holdings added 3.34% as oil prices kept their heads above water.

Carmakers were also among the winners, with Toyota rising 0.66%, while among the technology sector, SoftBank Group advanced 1.38% and Sony eked out gains of 0.09%.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite advanced 0.63% to 3,289.24, and the smaller, technology-heavy Shenzhen Composite was up 0.18%.

Regulators in the People’s Republic announced that they would take over Anbang Insurance Group for one year from 23 February, as Beijing continued its crackdown on excess debt.

South Korea’s Kospi was ahead 1.54% at 2,451.52, and the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong finished up 0.97% at 21,262.17.

Among the blue-chip technology stocks in Seoul, Samsung Electronics rose 0.98% and chipmaker SK Hynix was ahead 1.84%.

Manufacturers and shipbuilders were also in the black on the Korean peninsula, with Hyundai Heavy Industries rising 4%, Lotte Chemical up 4.18%, and Posco managing a 0.83% gain.

Oil prices slipped as the region went to bed, with Brent crude last down 0.26% at $66.22 and West Texas Intermediate off 0.18% at $62.66.

In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 was 0.82% firmer, with oil producers Oil Search and Woodside Petroleum rising 0.67% and 0.47% respectively.

Their sector peer Santos was the odd one out, however, slipping 0.19% by the end of the day.

Major miners were also in positive territory, with BHP tacking on 1.59% and Rio Tinto adding 0.91%.

Flag carrier Qantas continued to fly higher, ascending 2.69% after reporting record interim profit on Thursday.

Across the Tasman Sea, New Zealand’s S&P/NZX 50 added 0.4% to finish at 8,301.72, led higher by retirement housebuilder Summerset, which was up 4.3% after posting a 44% uptick in full-year earnings.

Its competitor Metlifecare was up 2.5%, as the market prepared to take a weekend break midway through earnings season.

Both of the down under dollars were weaker against the greenback, with the Aussie last off 0.22% at AUD 1.2774, and the Kiwi retreating 0.57% to NZD 1.3700.