The markets across Asia, open for trading on the last trading day of 2009, ended in positive territory amid hopes and optimism about sustained revival in global economy in the upcoming New Year 2010.The markets in Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, and Singapore were closed for trading, while the markets in Australia and Hong Kong worked for half-a- day. The markets in China, Taiwan and India, however, functioned for the full session. All the markets ended in positive territory.
In Australia, the benchmark S&P/ASX Index dvanced 37.30 points, or 0.80% to close at 4,870, while the All-Ordinaries Index ended at 4,883, representing a gain of 35.70 points, or 0.74%.
Volume was relatively less as most traders preferred to stay away from the trading desk.
Banking stocks ended in positive territory with minor gains. ANZ Bank added 0.62%, Commonwealth Bank of Australia advanced 0.79%, National Australia Bank gained 0.74% and Westpac Banking edged up 0.12%. Investment banker Macquarie Group climbed 0.85%.
Mixed trading was witnessed among the mining and metal stocks. BHP Billiton gained 0.98%, Rio Tinto edged up 0.33%, Fortescue Metals gained 2.07%, Gindalbie Metals climbed 3.41% and Murchison Metals rose 2.04%. However, Iluka Resources fell 1.92%, Mincor Resources declined 1.39% and Oz Minerals lost 0.84%.
Gold stocks ended in positive territory. Lihir Gold advanced 0.92% and Newcrest Mining gained 1.06%.
Oil stocks also ended higher. Oil Search Ltd advanced 0.82%, Origin Energy added 0.72% and Santos gained 0.64%. However, Woodside Petroleum bucked the trend and ended in negative territory with a minor loss of 0.32%.
Retail stocks ended in positive territory. David Jones gained 1.31%, Harvey Norman advanced 0.96%, JB Hi-Fi Ltd rose 1.16%, Wesfarmers edged up 0.42% and Woolworths climbed 1.49%.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index ended the half-day trading session higher with a smart gain of 375.88 points, or 1.75%, at 21,872 as traders picked up stocks across the market on increasing optimism about global recovery. Mutual funds increased their holdings on year-end eve to boost NAV. As many as 38 stocks in the 42-component stock index ended in positive territory. Property stocks led the gains followed by banks and China-related shares.
The Indian market hit a 20-month high in mid-session before paring some early gains ahead of the long weekend. The market will remain closed on Friday because of the New Year's holiday. A little bit of volatility was witnessed as traders rolled over their positions in the derivatives segment. The benchmark Sensex closed at 17,465, up 121 points or 0.70% from the previous close. The S&P CNX Nifty also rose by 32 points or 0.61% to 5,201.
Among other major markets open for trading in the region, China's Shanghai Composite Index added 14.54 points, or 0.45%, to close at 3,277 and Taiwan's Weighted Index advanced 75.83 points, or 0.93% at 8,188.
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June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.