Asia: Strong lead from Wall St

HONG KONG: Asian markets were mixed yesterday following another strong lead from Wall Street, where traders took heart from more upbeat US jobs numbers.

The yen was flat against the US dollar after Japanese lawmakers gave final approval to the government's nominees to take the helm at the Bank of Japan, with expectations high that it will usher in more aggressive monetary easing.

Tokyo rose 1.45 per cent, or 179.76 points, to 12,560.95 - its highest level since September 2008, while Sydney bounced back from three days of losses to register its biggest rise since July, adding 1.75 per cent, or 88 points, to close at 5,120.2.

However, Seoul fell 0.78 per cent, or 15.63 points, to 1,986.50.

On Wall Street, traders welcomed US Labour Department data showing new claims for unemployment benefits fell last week for the third week in a row, signalling continuing improvement in the jobs market.

The S&P 500, which includes all major segments of the US economy, climbed 0.56 per cent to end just short of its all-time high close set in October 2007.

And the Dow was up 0.58 per cent, breaking its all-time record for the eighth straight day. It was the Dow's 10th consecutive rise.

In other markets:

* Taipei fell 0.31 per cent, or 24.27 points, to 7,927.49.

* Manila fell 0.60 per cent, or 40.11 points, to 6,654.60.

* Wellington rose 0.14 per cent, or 5.96 points, to 4,387.06.

* Bangkok added 0.71 per cent, to 11.34 points, to 1,598.13.

* Jakarta gained 0.69 per cent, or 32.96 points, to 4,819.32.

* Mumbai fell 0.73 per cent, or 142.88 points, to 19,427.56. AFP