Asia markets opened mostly higher on Thursday, with investors closely watching the latest developments in the ongoing U.S.-China trade war. The positive sentiment comes after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit later this month in Japan.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 was up 0.24% in early trade, while the Topix index gained 0.17%. The gains were led by technology and consumer goods stocks, with companies like Sony and Toyota seeing a rise in their share prices.
In South Korea, the Kospi index was up 0.1%, with market heavyweights Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix seeing modest gains. The country’s exports have been hit hard by the trade tensions between the U.S. and China, but investors are hopeful that a resolution could be in sight.
In China, the Shanghai Composite index was flat, while the Shenzhen Component index was up 0.2%. The markets were supported by news that China’s central bank had injected liquidity into the financial system, easing concerns about a credit crunch.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index was up 0.4%, led by gains in financial and property stocks. The city has been rocked by protests in recent weeks, but investors seem to be shrugging off the political uncertainty for now.
Overall, the mood in Asian markets is cautiously optimistic, with investors hoping for progress in the U.S.-China trade talks. However, concerns remain about the impact of the trade war on global economic growth, and market volatility is likely to continue in the coming weeks.
As always, investors are advised to stay informed about the latest developments and to exercise caution when trading in volatile markets. Stay tuned for more updates on Asia markets as the trading day progresses.