Asian markets ended mostly higher on Monday amid rejuvenated hopes for progress in trade talks. The US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Trump administration is working on bilateral trade deals with 17 key trading partners, not including China, and that the latter needs a de-escalation. Expectations of further stimulus from China, also aided market sentiments. China's finance minister Lan Fo'an said the country will take measures to achieve its annual economic growth target of around 5 percent despite escalating trade tensions. However, gains remained capped as China denied any talks with the U.S. over tariff exemptions, calling out Washington for 'misleading' the public. Japanese markets eked out modest gains ahead of the Bank of Japan's rate decision due later in the week, with no policy change expected. Seoul stocks edged up slightly in cautious trade as investors assessed interim progress in trade negotiations between Seoul and Washington.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 3,288.41 | -6.65 | -0.20 |
| Hang Seng | 21,971.96 | -8.78 | -0.04 |
| Jakarta Composite | 6,722.97 | 44.05 | 0.66 |
| KLSE Composite | 1,521.59 | 12.39 | 0.82 |
| Nikkei 225 | 35,839.99 | 134.25 | 0.37 |
| Straits Times | 3,811.80 | -11.98 | -0.31 |
| KOSPI Composite | 2,548.86 | 2.56 | 0.10 |
| Taiwan Weighted | 20,034.41 | 161.68 | 0.81 |
