Asian stocks continued to rally and gold recorded its largest weekly gain since October 2011. The yen posted its first weekly gain in four weeks ahead of a Japanese Central Bank meeting.
The MSCI Asia Pacific index rose 0,3% at 12.32 in Tokyo for its best close since May 2011. Gold was up 0,5%, while copper plunged 0,5% in London. The New Zealand dollar advanced (+0,4%) after the country recorded a higher-than-expected increase in its trade balance.
The Bank of Japan will unveil forecasts for inflation and gross domestic product after announcing unprecedented monetary measures last month that galvanized markets.
Among the stocks highlighted, Japan Tobacco, the most successful tobacco maker this year, rose 4,4% after beating analyst estimates. Bank of China, which reported a quarterly profit, rose 1,7% in Hong Kong.
Nomura Holdings and Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd. were among more than 200 companies reporting profit status. Nomura lost 1%, while ICBC advanced 0,9%. Samsung Electronics slipped 0,7% even as it announced record quarterly profits thanks to the launch of Galaxy devices probably because the announcement of preliminary operating profits was already made on April 5 last year.
