Asian equity markets ended mostly higher on Tuesday as Chinese trade data topped forecasts and investors awaited an announcement by US President Donald Trump on whether he would withdraw from a landmark nuclear deal with Iran. Chinese shares ended higher after the release of upbeat trade figures for April. Chinese exports climbed 12.9 percent year-over-year in April, well above the expected rise of 6.8 percent. Imports surged 21.5 percent from a year ago, exceeding economists' forecast for a growth of 15.9 percent. The trade surplus totaled $28.8 billion in April versus the expected surplus of $25.7 billion. Besides, Japanese shares ended modestly higher, as banking stocks rallied while Takeda Pharmaceutical climbed ahead of news the drugmaker had agreed to buy London-listed Shire for $62.42 billion. Furthermore, Hong Kong shares ended higher, as fears of a full-blown trade war eased on reports that talks between Washington and Beijing will continue.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,161.50 | 24.85 | 0.79 |
Hang Seng | 30,402.81 | 408.55 | 1.36 |
Jakarta Composite | 5,774.72 | -110.38 | -1.88 |
KLSE Composite | 1,846.51 | 18.31 | 1.00 |
Nikkei 225 | 22,508.69 | 41.53 | 0.18 |
Straits Times | 3,543.17 | 10.31 | 0.29 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,449.81 | -11.57 | -0.47 |
Taiwan Weighted | 10,691.38 | 86.47 | 0.82 |
