Asian stock markets close on positive side Thursday

By Gokhan Ergocun

ANKARA (AA) - 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.