Current Market Update

Here are the latest trading levels for Asia's major stock markets: 

Tokyo (Nikkei Average) up 0.3% 

 Hong Kong (Hang Seng Index) up 1% (at break) 

Shanghai (Shanghai Composite Index) up 0.3% (at break) 

 Sydney (S&P/ASX 200) up 1.4% 

 Seoul (Kospi) up 1.2% 

 Mumbai (Sensex) up 0.6% 

 Taipei (Taiex) flat

Asian Market Update

Asian shares climbed for a third straight day Friday following more advances on Wall Street, while bargain-buying helped oil recover slightly from its latest sell-off.

The euro was also struggling to staunch a sell-off against the dollar, with the European Central Bank expected to unleash a vast easing programme at the same time as the US Federal Reserve plots an interest rate hike.

There was little initial reaction to news that Chinese inflation for December edged up from the previous month but fell well short of the government's target for the full year.

Tokyo rose 0.43 per cent, Hong Kong added 0.90 per cent, Sydney climbed 1.00 per cent and Seoul was up 0.89 per cent. Shanghai, which has clocked up gains of more than 50 per cent over the past year, was 0.57 per cent lower.

KLSE Malaysia Opening Market Update

MALAYSIA share prices opened higher on Friday with the FTSE Bursa Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Composite Index up 6.33 points to 1734.61.

Volume was 39.14 million lots worth RM21.6 million.

Gainers outnumbered losers 160 to 33.

Market Closing Update

MALAYSIAN shares ended higher on Thursday with the Kuala Lumpur Composite Index adding 18.88 points to close at 1,728.06.

Some 1.6 billion lots, valued at RM1.84 billion were traded. Gainers numbered 555 while losers numbered 240.

KLSE IForex Recommendations

TRADING TIPS :

USD/JPY up 0.54% to 119.08.Modest gains in Asian equity markets overnight dampened demand for the safe haven yen as investor sentiment recovered following a selloff earlier in the week.The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of six major currencies, hit nine-year highs of 92.14 and was last at 91.97, supported by weakness in the euro.The Federal Reserve was to publish the minutes of its latest policy meeting later Wednesday, which were expected to provide further indications on the future direction of monetary policy.

INTRADAY OUTLOOK
Support: 118.55
Resistance: 119.37

RECOMMENDATION:
1. Buy USD/JPY Above 119.40-TG: 119.60/119.90 SL 119.10
2. Sell USD/JPY Below 118.53-TG: 118.33/118.03 SL 118.83

INTRADAY OUTLOOK
Immediate Support: 1.1818

Immediate Resistance: 1.1876
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Buy EUR/USD Above -1.1878 TG: 1.1898/1.1928 SL 1.1848
2. Sell EUR/USD Below -1.1815 TG:1.1795/1.1765 SL 1.1845