Markets in Asia ended their week in gains on Friday. Japan’s Nikkei 225 closed at 19,452 levels higher by 98 points or 0.51%, touching an intraday high of 19,483 level. Across the Korean Strait, the Kospi Composite index gained marginally 2 points or 0.11% at 2,378 level.

S&P/ASX 200 ended in the negative territory slipping 1.6 points or 0.03% at 5,743 levels. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 1.20% or 329 points at 27,848 levels.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite jumped 1.83% or 60 points to close at 3,331 level. Shenzen Composite gained 106 points or 1% at 10,659 level.

Investors awaited Friday speeches from US Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen and European Central Bank President Mario Draghi at an annual central bankers meeting in Jackson Hole. Despite the interest in the central bankers speeches, economists said major changes in monetary policy are unlikely.

In corporate news, Toshiba has been offered $1.9 trillion yen (USD 17.4 billion) for its memory chip unit. The offer was made by a consortium including Western Digital and Innovation Network Corp of Japan, among others.

source: indiainfoline.com