Japan Stock Market Trades Higher Despite Weak Export Data

Japan stock market has traded higher, despite the latest trade figures showing exports falling for a third straight month.

Its exports fell by 8% in December 2015 from a year earlier, suggesting that China’s slowdown continues to affect demand.

The Nikkei 225 index rose 0.9%, closing at 17,110.91, building on January 22 rally when it climbed almost 6%.

Global stock markets surged late last week on hints that central banks in Europe and Japan would continue monetary easing.

On January 21, sentiment got a boost as European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi suggested the bank would review its policies in March and could launch further stimulus.

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One day later, media reports suggested that the Bank of Japan (BOJ) would also ease further.

The BOJ is set for its first meeting of 2016 later this week, where it is expected to make a policy announcement as weak growth and a drop in oil prices weigh on its attempts to lift inflation.

Led by energy shares, Chinese markets also continued last week’s strong finish, trading higher both in Hong Kong and on the mainland markets.

The Hang Seng index in Hong Kong rose by 1.5% to 19,373.09, while the Shanghai Composite edged 0.4% higher to 2,926.04.

In Australia, the benchmark S&P ASX 200 closed 1.8% up at 5,006.60 points.

The commodity-heavy market was helped by a rebound in both oil and iron ore prices.

In South Korea, the Kospi index followed the region’s trend, increasing 0.7% to close the day at 1,893.43 points.