Asian markets buoyed by upbeat US jobs data

Asian shares opened higher, following similar gains by U.S. stock indices, after positive jobs data; which showed the economy created more jobs than expected last month, while the unemployment rate fell.

Dollar gained ground before closing on Friday, while rivals like Yen dropped, in turn helping Asian markets to rise, as investors shifted liquidity towards them starting this week.

Japanese shares increased, as TOPIX increased 0.58% or 2.23 points to 1,264.04, while Nikkei 225 gained 0.60% or 119.50 points to 20,071.83.

Chinese CSI 300 rose 0.01% or 0.54 points to 3,708.12, while Shanghai fell 0.18% or 5.71 points to 3,256.37.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng progressed 0.45% or 124.77 points to 27,687.45, while South Korea’s KOSPI grew 0.52% or 12.40 points to 2,407.85.

New Zealand’s NZX 50 proceeded 0.08% higher, or 6.17 points to 7,752.29, and finally Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 advanced 0.96% or 55.12 points to 5,775.70.