Asian markets trade mostly higher in early deals on Friday

18 Jul 2025 Evaluate

Asian markets traded mostly higher in early deals on Friday, mirroring positive Wall Street overnight and with the strong US economic data, and robust corporate earnings. Ongoing AI-driven optimism kindled investor sentiments. US President Trump softened his rhetoric toward China, boosting hopes for a potential trade deal. Meanwhile, investor eyed on PBOC's latest loan prime rate decision later this week, with expectations for no change. The Hang Seng advanced near four-month high and is on track for a second straight weekly gain, up 2.5% so far.

Hang Seng rose by 170.05 points or 0.69% to 24,669.00, Straits Times jumped by 21.34 points 0.51% to 4,182.77, Jakarta Composite added by 103.23 points or 1.42% to 7,390.25, Taiwan Weighted lifted by 219.48 points or 0.95% to 23,332.76, Shanghai Composite buoyed by 12.07 points or 0.34% to 3,528.90 and FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI enlarged 3.52 points or 0.23% to 1,524.46.

On the flip side, Nikkei 225 down by 146.76 points or 0.37% to 39,754.43, and KOSPI Index dipped by 17.97 points or 0.56% to 3,174.32.

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