International
Falling Oil Prices, Middle East Views Lift Asian Stock Markets
Asian stock markets tracked higher Wednesday as global crude prices eased, and on media reports that the Trump Administration and Tehran are in peace discussions. Overnight fresh all-time zeniths on Wall Street helped set tone.Hong Kong and Shanghai finished in the green, while Tokyo remained closed on holiday.Seoul's KOSPI index rose 6.5% to shatter the 7,000-milestone, on strength in tech and semiconductor issues, including a 14.4% rise in Samsung Electronics shares.In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index opened evenly and rose to the close, finishing up 1.2% as traders viewed Persian Gulf prospects, and noted a 7% decline in Brent crude prices during market hours. A property-sector rally lifted broader indices as well.The broad gauge Hang Seng rose 315.17 to 26,213.78, as gaining issues outnumbered losers 67 to 22. The Hang Seng TECH Index gained 0.8% on the day, while the Mainland Properties Index rose 4.6%.Leading the upside was Xinyi Glass, gaining 9.8%, while Li Auto declined 2.6%.On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite rose 1.2% to 4,160.17.On the other regional exchanges, the Taiwan TWSE inclined 0.9%; the Australian ASX 200 inclined 1.3%; the Singapore Straits Times Index rose 0.1%, and the Thai Set inclined 1.8%. In late trading in Mumbai, the Sensex was up 1.2%.The MSCI All Country Asia Pacific Index rose 2.6% on the day, also striking a record high.
Hang SengNikkei 225Shanghai Composite