HONG KONG, Jan 16: Asia’s markets closed higher on Friday as optimism returned ahead of the inauguration of Barack Obama as US president and investors absorbed news of further bailout moves.

Despite further grim news, dealers were in buying mood after the US government announced a 20-billion-dollar injection for ailing Bank of America and US Democrats unveiled a new 825-billion-dollar rescue package for the economy.

Tokyo jumped 2.58 per cent after hitting a six-week low Thursday. Hong Kong, which was at a seven-week low the day before, rose 0.1 per cent, while Sydney added 0.6 per cent. Seoul put on 2.15 per cent following a six per cent drubbing Thursday and Singapore added 1.55 per cent.

TOKYO: Up 2,58 per cent. The Nikkei-225 index gained 206.84 points to 8,230.15. The broader Topix index of all first-section shares climbed 21.90 points, or 2.75 per cent, to 817.89.

Fuji Heavy, maker of Subaru vehicles, rose 6.6 per cent despite forecasting a 19 billion yen (211 million dollars) net loss for the financial year to March, its first in 15 years.

Honda Motor jumped 8.0 percent. After the close the company said it would slash 3,100 temporary jobs and reduce domestic production due to weak demand.

HONG KONG: Up 0.1 per cent. The Hang Seng Index closed up 12.55 points at 13,255.51. Turnover was 47.07 billion Hong Kong dollars (6.03 billion US).

The index was down 7.8 percent on the week.

In a note, Morgan Stanley analysts had said they thought HSBC needs to raise new capital, as well as cut its dividend by half. HSBC fell for the fifth day, ending down 2.7 percent at 64.20 dollars.

SINGAPORE: Up 1.55 per cent. The Straits Times Index rose 26.39 points to 1,730.45 on volume of 833.27 shares worth 718.82 million Singapore dollars (482.81 million US).

KUALA LUMPUR: Up 0.1 per cent. The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index rose 0.73 points to close at 898.18 on turnover of 546.61 million shares worth 549.66 million ringgit (165.06 million dollars). Ramunia rose 20.6 percent to 0.38 ringgit as TMI climbed 5.8 per cent to 3.66 ringgit.

JAKARTA: Up 1.5 per cent. The Jakarta Composite Index closed 20.39 points up at 1,343.49 in moderate volume.

Coal miner Bumi Resources rose 20 percent to 510 rupiah on bargain buying after falling more than 40 percent since the beginning of the week.

MUMBAI: Up 3.06 per cent. The benchmark 30-share Sensex index rose 276.85 points to 9,323.59.—AFP