Asian Markets Trade Higher on Trade Talks

The financial and stock markets in the Asian and Pacific Rim were trading higher Friday morning. Asian traders switched on risk sentiment, somewhat, after headlines emerged that the United States may consider the possibility of easing tariffs on China. This would be done to push forward trade talks.

The Asian benchmark, in Japan, the Nikkei 225 jumped higher this morning. The Nikkei was up 1.24 percent in morning trade. In Tokyo, the broader Topix index was also up. The Topix tacked on 1.1 percent.

Looking at the benchmark in Seoul, South Korea, the Kospi composite index was up 0.6 percent by midday.

Looking at currencies this morning, the USD/JPY benchmark, by 10 am Hong Kong time, was trading at 109.33. This was down from 108 yen seen earlier this week.

The Australian dollar was trading at $0.7202. Earlier the Australian dollar was trading at $0.7183.

Asian Benchmarks in Australia and China Move Higher on Trade News

In the Down Under, the Australian benchmark the S&P ASX 200 was also higher. This index gained 06 percent today. The heavily weighted financial sub-index gained about 0.65 percent.

Thanks to a boost in regional sentiment that trade tensions between the United States and China could be easing a bit, Chinese markets were higher.

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index also rose today. The HSI gained almost 1.2 percent.