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Asian markets trade mostly higher in early deals on Friday
Jul-18-2025

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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