Market Overview

As traders returned from the Christmas holiday, major Asian stock markets presented a mixed performance on Friday. The limited activity was partly due to the closure of some markets on December 25 and 26.

Focus on Japan

Investors kept a close eye on Japan, where speculation about a potential interest rate hike by the central bank in January is growing. Additionally, there's talk of intervention to strengthen the weakened yen. Japan also released crucial economic data, including unemployment rates, industrial production, retail sales, and Tokyo's CPI, providing a snapshot of the country's economic health.

Market Movements

In mainland China, the Shenzhen Composite saw a slight increase, while the Shanghai Composite remained unchanged. Japan's Nikkei 225 experienced a significant rise. Meanwhile, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 also saw gains, contrasting with the dips in South Korea's Kospi and Hong Kong's Hang Seng.