Financial Times FT.com

Japanese shares rise despite downbeat data

By Andrew Wood in Hong Kong

Published: December 26 2008 05:09 | Last updated: December 26 2008 07:55

Shares in Tokyo gained in value on Friday in spite of an 8.1 per cent decline in November’s industrial output. The FTSE Asia Pacific index was 0.7 per cent higher at 163.9 although volumes were low as some markets, such as Hong Kong and Australia, were closed for the Boxing Day holiday.

Oil climbed above $36 a barrel in Asian trading. Nymex light sweet crude was $36.63 – meaning it has lost three-quarters of its value since peaking at $147.27 in July.

You have viewed your allowance of free articles. If you wish to view more, click the button below.

Read this