Asian markets settled higher on Thursday tracking Wall Streets’ gains overnight following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of trade deals with Japan and the Philippines, which sparked optimism for similar agreements with other major economies as the August 1 deadline nears. Market sentiments improved further after a private report said that the European Union and United States are closing in on a trade deal that would impose 15% tariffs on European imports. Chinese and Hong Kong shares gained on signs of better US-China trade ties and fresh government support. Moreover, Seoul shares gained after data showed South Korea's economy expanded at a 0.6% annual rate in the last quarter, above expectations driven by robust private consumption and exports.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 3,605.73 | 23.43 | 0.65 |
| Hang Seng | 25,627.00 | 88.93 | 0.35 |
| Jakarta Composite | 7,530.90 | 61.67 | 0.83 |
| KLSE Composite | 1,540.32 | 10.53 | 0.69 |
| Nikkei 225 | 41,826.34 | 655.02 | 1.57 |
| Straits Times | 4,273.05 | 41.77 | 0.98 |
| KOSPI Composite | 3,190.45 | 6.68 | 0.21 |
| Taiwan Weighted | 23,373.73 | 55.06 | 0.24 |
