Asian Markets Mixed as Investors Eye US-China Trade Talks
Asian shares were mixed on Friday as investors looked ahead to key trade talks this weekend between China and the US, despite news of a UK-US trade deal.
China reported an 8.1% year-on-year rise in exports for April—beating expectations but slowing from 12.4% in March. However, shipments to the US plunged over 20%, reflecting the impact of higher tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng edged down 0.1% to 22,777.82, while the Shanghai Composite slipped 0.3% to 3,343.38. South Korea’s Kospi was flat at 2,578.64, and Australia’s ASX 200 gained 0.4% to 8,228.10. Taiwan’s Taiex rose sharply by 1.7%.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 led gains in the region, jumping 1.5% to 37,493.65.
In the US, equities rallied after President Trump announced a “breakthrough” trade agreement with the UK. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.6% to 41,368.45, while the S&P 500 also added 0.6% to 5,663.94. The Nasdaq Composite outperformed, climbing 1.1% to 17,928.14.
Meanwhile, bond yields climbed as the yield on the 10-year US Treasury rose to 4.381%, up from 4.274% the day before.
