Asian Markets Track the U.S. Higher

 | Oct 28, 2013 05:06AM ET

Asian markets started this week on a high note with gains as they tracked U.S. markets higher and good regional corporate news cheered investors. Last week the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ both ended with fresh record highs.

We might start to see some investor caution setting in as the U.S. Federal Reserve Board is about to begin its policy meeting this week. Most analysts and the markets are prepared and convinced the Fed will delay its tapering of its bond purchase program to sometime in 2014. Consensus is that they will begin in March.

STOCKS

The DJIA was up 61 points to close at 15,570.28. For the week the Dow gained 1.11 percent and is now within one percent of its all-time high. The S&P500 was up 7.70 points to end at 1,759.77. This is a fresh record high and was up 0.88 percent for the week. The Nasdaq Composite was up 14.40 points to 4,943.36. This is a new 13 year high and the composite was up 0.74 percent for the week.

The Nikkei 225 was up 1.68 percent as it is enjoying a strong rebound from its two and a half week low. Investors cheered a weakening yen which moved towards $98 against the U.S. Dollar.

The Australian benchmark was up one percent and above 5,420. It is at its highest level since 2008. The Shanghai Composite was down 0.2 percent as it is nearing a seven wee low. Investors are continuing profit taking. The Kospi in South Korea was also up today. However, gains were limited as a stronger won concerned investors. The won is now within a nine month high against the U.S. dollar and at 1,061 per Dollar.

CURRENCIES

The USD/JPY (97.602) was higher after comments made by the Governor of the Bank of Japan. He stated he is committed to monetary easing. We may be in a range trading pattern for an extended period here.