The three main US stock indexes surged to record highs, while Asian shares rallied to an 18-month peak on upbeat Chinese trade data and strong gains on Wall Street. Malaysian shares hit their highest in over nine months with financials leading the gains. Vietnam rose 0.5% to its highest close in one week, while Indonesian shares pared early gains to end flat but posted their third consecutive weekly rise. Philippine shares came of early lows to close marginally down with industrials and financials leading the losses. "The current crackdown on the mining industry is affecting the stock market right now," said Rachel Cruz, a research analyst with AP Securities.

Source: Bangkok Post February 10, 2017 11:03 UTC