The Taiwan currency closed at NT$30.51 against the U.S. dollar Friday, ending the week with a 0.25 percent gain against the greenback. The New Taiwan dollar has appreciated 4.98 percent so far this year, far higher than the Korean won which rose only 0.99 percent against the U.S. currency. Most Asian currencies have risen in value against the U.S. dollar so far this year, led by the Thai baht which has appreciated 10.97 percent, the Japanese yen 10.78 percent and the Malaysian ringgit 9.19 percent. The New Taiwan is in fourth place, having gained 4.98 percent against the U.S. dollar. Other Asian currencies that have risen include the Philippine peso in the fifth place with a 6.26 percent appreciation rate, followed by the Indonesian rupiah with 4.08 percent, the Indian rupee with 2.58 percent and the Chinese renminbi or yuan with 2.45 percent. Reports of U.S. economic indicators turning upbeat have reduced the emerging economies' 'defensive demand' for the U.S. greenback, leading to a depreciating trend last week for their currencies. According to Bloomberg News, of the 10 Asian countries, only the New Taiwan dollar and the Russian ruble rose last week. The ruble ended the week up 0.8 percent at 30.637 against the U.S. dollar as of 5:00 p.m. Friday, Taipei time. The NT dollar bucked the trend, rising against the greenback on the strength of stock market gains and the inflow of foreign capital, breaking the NT$29.8 mark at one point and closing at NT$30.51. 