Asian markets trade mostly higher in early deals on Friday

21 Feb 2025 Evaluate
Asian markets traded mostly higher in early deals on Friday, supported by the positive cues from US and European markets. Better than expected corporate earnings and economic growth in emerging market kindled the investor sentiments. Positive outlook for US-China relations got spurred after the US President Donald Trump signalled chances for a new trade deal with China. Chinese technology and artificial intelligence stocks rallied in the session, driven by growing market enthusiasm for DeepSeek's AI capabilities, which major companies are rapidly adopting. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index notched its highest peak in 19 weeks and is in track for its sixth straight week of gains and marking the longest winning streak in nearly a year.

Nikkei 225 up by 25.36 points or 0.07% to 38,703.40, Straits Times rose by 0.48 points or 0.01% to 3,927.99, Hang Seng surged by 661.44 points or 2.85% to 23,238.42, Taiwan Weighted lifted by 221.53 points or 0.94% to 23,708.99, Jakarta Composite added by 11.19 points or 0.16% to 6,799.23, Shanghai Composite widened by 25.94 points or 0.77% to 3,376.72, and FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI increased by 6.56 points or 0.42% to 1,584.23.

On the flip side, KOSPI Index decreased by 5.98 points or 0.23% to 2,648.08.

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