Asian markets traded mostly higher in early deals on Friday, kindled by the optimism regarding potential trade negotiations and economic recovery. China’s central bank held its key lending rates steady, as expected, following record cuts in May aimed at boosting the economy. Market sentiments got lifted with the bets that China might come up with fresh stimulus measures during its early July session. Hang Seng snapped a three-day losing streak and is on track for its first fall in three periods, down around 2% so far, pressured by mounting concerns over possible US involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict.
Hang Seng surge by 266.85 points 1.14% to 23,504.59, Straits Times up by 3.73 points 0.10% to 3,897.91, KOSPI Index increased by 32.73 points or 1.10% to 3,010.47, Shanghai Composite rose by 2.72 points or 0.08% to 3,364.83 and FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI higher 3.35 points or 0.22% to 1,504.79.
On the flip side, Nikkei 225 down by 10.32 points or 0.03% to 38,478.02, Taiwan Weighted slipped by 81.08 points 0.37% to 21,922.42, and Jakarta Composite narrowed by 50.40 points or 0.73% to 6,918.24.
