Asian stock markets close on positive side Thursday

ANKARA

Major Asian stock markets were higher at Thursday's close, excluding China's Shanghai.

Data released during the day indicated that Japan's imports grew by 17.8% in January, outpacing exports, which increased by just 3.5%.

The foreign trade balance of the world's third-biggest economy posted a deficit of 3.5 trillion yen ($26.15 billion) in the month.

In China, average new home prices posted a decline for the ninth consecutive month in January, down 1.5% yearly.

The Asia Dow, which includes blue-chip companies in the region, increased by 0.95% to 3,447.20 points as of 1333 GMT.

Tokyo's Nikkei 225 also earned 0.71% to close at 27,696.44 points.

The Hang Seng, the benchmark for blue-chip stocks trading on the Hong Kong stock exchange, also rose 0.84% to 27,696.44 points.

China's Shanghai Stock Exchange, meanwhile, fell 0.96% to close at 3,249.03 points.

The Singapore index increased 0.07% to end the day at 61,319.51 points, while India's Sensex benchmark gained 0.93% to close at 3,311.23 points.