Regional Asian Equities Hit 2022 Highs

Regional Asian equities continue their march higher today BBG APAC Index is heading for it's highest levels since march 2022, after Japanese equities edge close to hitting all time highs not seen since 1989. Tech stocks are the top performers in the region after US semiconductor equipment manufacturer Applied Materials posted a bullish revenue forecast.

• Japan equities are higher today following the another record high close for the US market on Thursday, while the weaker yen continues to support the market. The Nikkei 225 continues to edge closer to all time highs of 38,915.87, while demand for March options betting on the Nikkei 225 to break to 40,000 soar today to levels not since June. Currently the Nikkei 225 is 1.53% higher, while Topix is 1.66% higher.
• Taiwan equities are lower today, under-performing the wider Asian markets as investors look to book profits, after equities surged 3.46% yesterday. Currently the Taiex is down 0.10%.
• South Korea equities edge higher again today, led by tech names. Foreign buying of SK stock has slow in the past week with just $42m of inflows today as the 5-day moving average decreased to 252.1m below the 20-day average of $288.5m. Currently the Kospi is 1.14% higher.
• Australia equities closed higher today led by Miners and Financials as CBA, up 1.75% contributes most to the index gain. Elsewhere Australia's stock exchange the ASX fell 4.00% after the company misses estimates. The ASX 200 is up 0.67%.
• Indonesian equities continue their moves higher post presidential election, while Global fund buying of Indonesian stock hit a 2 month high with $174.6m of inflows on Thursday. Currently the Jakarta Comp is 0.63% higher.
• Elsewhere in SEA, NZ up 0.73%, Singapore up 1.41%, Philippines up 0.36%, while Thailand lags trading unchanged for the day.