Regional Asian Equities Push Higher, Nikkei 225 Nears 1989 All-Time Highs

Regional Asian equities are higher today, as 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 just a bullish revenue forecast.

• Japan equities are higher today as the Nikkei 225 edges closer to all time highs of 38,915.87, while demand for March options betting on the Nikkei 225 to break to 40,000 increase to levels not since July. Japanese Chip-Equipment stocks rise after Applied Materials bullish forecast, however we are off early morning highs, Tokyo Electron was up as much as 5% earlier, to trade 2% now. Currently the Nikkei 225 is 1.14% higher, while Topix is 1.21% higher.
• Taiwan equities are slightly higher today, under-performing the wider Asian markets as investors look to book profits in after equities surged 3.46% yesterday. Tech Names lead the way with semiconductors the best performers. Currently the Taiex is 0.20% higher.
• South Korea equities edge higher again today, also ted by tech names. Foreign buying of SK stock has slow in the past week, the 5-day moving average decreased to 252.1m below the 20-day average of $288.5m. Currently the Kospi is 0.77% higher.
• Australia equities are higher today led by Miners and Financials as CBA up 1% contributes most to the index gain. Elsewhere Australia's stock exchange the ASX fell 3.2% after the company misses estimates. The ASX 200 is up 0.57%.
• Indonesian equities continue their moves higher post presidential election, while Global fund buying of Indonesian stock hit a 2 month high. Currently the Jakarta Comp is 0.45% higher.
• Elsewhere in SEA, NZ, Singapore and Philippines equities are roughly 0.50% higher.