Asia-Pacific markets mostly rose Thursday, tracking Wall Street gains, on rising optimism over a Middle East peace deal.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index recovered 1,879.73 points, or 3.1%, to 61,684.14.
Japan’s exports in April clocked their fastest growth this year since January, rising 14.8% year on year and beating estimates, thanks to a surge in semiconductor shipments. Imports grew 9.7%, also topping expectations, according to government data.
SoftBank Group shares surged nearly 20%, as Nvidia’s blockbuster earnings overnight signaled strong AI momentum.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index shed 264.6 points, or 1%, to 25,386.52.
Korean stocks bounced. Index heavyweight Samsung Electronics added more than 8.5% after a strike involving more than 47,000 of its workers was averted following a breakthrough in wage negotiations. SK Hynix gained 11.2%.
South Korea will start 24-hour dollar-won spot trading on July 6, its finance ministry said Thursday, part of ongoing reforms of its capital market to boost economic growth.
U.S. President Donald Trump said that Washington was in the “final stages” of negotiations with Iran, according to a pool report, helping lift investor optimism.
Oil prices have seen a sharp rise as the Trump administration blockades Iranian ports, while the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy waterways, has been effectively closed by Tehran.
In other markets;
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 index lost 67.6 points, or 1.4%, to 4,783.10.
In Taiwan, the Taiex popped 1,347.39 points, or 3.4%, to 41,368.21
In Korea, the Kospi jumped 606.64 points, or 8.4%, to 7,815.59.
In Singapore, the Straits Times 50 index inched 0.8 points to 5,045.71.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 climbed 117.04 points, or 0.9%, to 12,878.07.
In Australia, the AZX 200 surged 125.17 points, or 1.5%, to 8,621,75.
