Asian stocks closed higher on Friday, following Thursday’s rally in New York, although the week was marred by growing fears that the US and the global economy as a whole could slide into recession.
Japan’s Nikkei stock index rose 1.23% in Tokyo on Friday to 26,491.97 points, while the Hang Seng rose 2.09% in Hong Kong to 21,719.06 points, the South Korean Kospi rose 2, 26% in Seoul, at 2,366.60 points, and the Taiex appreciated 0.84% ​​in Taiwan, at 15,303.32 points.
In mainland China, markets were also in the black: the Shanghai Composite rose 0.89% to 3,349.75 points, and the less comprehensive Shenzhen Composite rose 1.32% to 2,192.66 points.
On Thursday, Wall Street secured gains in the final stretch of business, after investors monitored the second day of testimony by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell in Congress.
In keeping with yesterday’s line, Powell said the Fed hoped to contain the soaring inflation – which is at the highest level in four decades – without pushing the US into recession, but acknowledged that the “path is getting more and more challenging”. Last week, the Fed announced its biggest rate hike since 1994.
Despite Thursday’s positive tone, recession risks have weighed on risk appetite in New York and elsewhere.
Oceania
In Oceania, the Australian stock market followed Asia and Wall Street this Friday, and the S&P/ASX 200 advanced 0.77% in Sydney, at 6,578.70 points.
Source: CNN Brasil
