Asian markets traded mostly higher in early deals on Thursday, on account of optimism regarding a US-Iran peace deal, and on decline in global crude oil prices and bond yields. Additionally, strong earnings from Nvidia and the averted labour strike at Samsung Electronics, boosted investor confidence across the region. Rally in technological sector stocks amid sustained optimism surrounding AI-related chip demand and robust export growth also kindled the indices. Meanwhile, Japan’s exports climbed 14.8% in April, the fastest pace since January and solidly beating expectations on a surge in semiconductor shipments. Imports increased 9.7% year-on-year, versus an expected 8.3% rise. The country’s trade balance narrowed to 301.9 billion yen in April, from 643 billion yen in March.
Nikkei surged by 2,136.59 points or 3.57% to 61,941.00, Straits Times up by 20.33 points 0.40% to 5,065.24, Hang Seng rose by 9.88 points 0.04% to 25,661.00, KOSPI Index soared by 550.40 points or 7.63% to 7,759.35, Taiwan weighted lifted by 1,510.49 points or 3.77% to 41,531.31, Shanghai Composite increased by 0.19 points to 4,162.37, and FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI index added by 0.83 points or 0.05% to 1,718.52.
On the flip side, Jakarta Composite plunged by 121.20 points or 1.92% to 6,197.30.
