Asia report: Most markets surge as BoJ stands pat on policy

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 was ahead 1.29% at 24,124.15, as the yen strengthened 0.36% against the dollar to last trade at JPY 110.52.

The Tokyo benchmark had managed to touch a 26-year high earlier in the session, with carmakers among the pack leaders as Mitsubishi Motors rose 2.39% and Toyota gained 0.79%.

Technology plays were also among the winners, with SoftBank ahead 2.02% and Sony recording gains of 2.87%.

The Bank of Japan satiated market expectations by standing pat on monetary policy after its two-day meeting.

Haruhiko Kuroda, the central bank’s governor, played down any potential changes to policy in his post-meeting briefing, saying the economy was not in a position for the BoJ to consider ending its super-soft approach.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite added 1.3% to close at 3,546.98, and the smaller, technology-heavy Shenzhen Composite managed gains of 0.36% to 1,950.99.

South Korea’s Kospi ended the day up 1.38% at 2,536.60, while the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong was up 1.6% at 32,930.70.

Screenmaker LG Display surged 5.85% in Seoul, after the firm reported a 95% fall in fourth-quarter earnings compared to a year ago.

Investors were primarily reacting to the company’s announcement that it will start manufacturing plastic OLED panels on a new production line later in the year.

Sister company LG Electronics added 0.46%, recovering from an earlier fall of more than 2%, while Samsung Electronics rose 1.91%.

Traders seemingly shrugged off news that US President Donald Trump had approved new tariffs on washing machines, which would affect both manufacturers.

South Korea’s government described the move as “excessive”, adding that it would raise the tariffs issue with the World Trade Organisation.

Oil prices were higher, with Brent crude last up 0.4% at $69.31 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate adding 0.38% to $63.61.

In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 added 0.75% to 6,037.00, led higher by a strong energy subindex, as well as the hefty financials sector, which rose 0.78%.

Across the Tasman Sea, New Zealand’s S&P/NZX 50 was the odd one out in the region, slipping 0.3% to settle at 8,307.63.

Local fuels giant Z Energy fell 2.3% after it cut its annual guidance by NZD 20m, following a weaker-than-expected December quarter.

The period was marred by higher oil prices and a shutdown of the pipeline between the country’s primary refinery at Marsden Point and the largest city of Auckland.

Both of the down under dollars were weaker on the greenback, with the Aussie last off 0.67% at AUD 1.2558 and the Kiwi slipping 0.15% to NZD 1.3667.