Almost all Asian stocks close with gains

By Aysu Bicer

ANKARA (AA) - Asian stock markets closed with gains on Friday as the better-than-expected company earnings supported the risk appetite.

US pharmaceutical firm Merck gained more than $3.2 billion in sales from its coronavirus pill during the first quarter of this year.

Mastercard's net revenue soared 24% to $5.2 billion and net income for the quarter rose 44% to $2.6 billion or $2.68 a share.

Investors continue to focus on the ongoing COVID-19 measures in China and concerns about a weak currency in Japan.

On Thursday, the Bank of Japan (BoJ) announced that it will maintain its monetary easing and maintain its unlimited bond buying policy.

Making statements after the decision, BoJ Chairman Haruhiko Kuroda stated that they are closely following the excessive movements in the currency, which makes planning difficult.

The Asia Dow, which includes blue-chip companies in the region, was up 62.76 points, or 1.88%, to 3,406 points.

Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 stock exchange was the best performer of the day, increasing 461 points, or 1.75%, to 26,847.

The Hang Seng, the benchmark for blue-chip stocks trading on the Hong Kong stock exchange, soared 813 points, or 4%, to 21,089.

China’s Shanghai stock exchange increased 71.58 points, or 2.41%, to finish at 3,047.

India's Sensex benchmark, on the other hand, lost 459 points, or 0.80%, to 57,744, while the Singapore index rose 21.81 points, or 0.65%, to 3,356.