Asian stocks close week with gains

By Gokhan Ergocun

ISTANBUL (AA) — Asian indices closed the last transaction day of the week with gains.

The Asia Dow, which includes blue-chip companies in the region, rose 0.99% to 3,415.44 points as of 1130GMT.

Japan's industrial output climbed 4.5% in February from the previous month, according to a report released on Friday.

Tokyo's Nikkei 225 earned 0.93% to close at 28,041.48 points.

The Hang Seng, the benchmark for blue-chip stocks trading on the Hong Kong exchange, gained 0.45% to 20,400.11 points.

China's Shanghai Stock Exchange was also up 0.36% to close at 3,272.86.

India's Sensex benchmark added 1.78% to close at 58,991.52.

The Singapore index rose 0.05% to end the day at 3,258.90 points.