What's Affecting Markets Today
Asian markets advance
Asia-Pacific markets advanced on Friday as investors analyzed economic data from key regional economies. Japan’s industrial output unexpectedly declined by 0.1% in April, contrary to a Reuters poll forecast of a 0.9% rise. Core inflation in Tokyo met expectations, increasing by 1.9% in May. South Korea’s industrial production index outperformed, rising 2.2% month-on-month in April, surpassing the anticipated 1.1% increase.
In China, the manufacturing sector contracted in May, with the official purchasing managers index falling to 49.5 from 50.4 in April. Despite this, mainland China’s CSI 300 index rose by 0.4%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index climbed 1.3%.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 increased by 0.41%, and the broader Topix index saw a gain of nearly 0.9%. South Korea’s Kospi also rose by 0.4%, although the smaller-cap Kosdaq dipped 0.22% after reversing earlier gains. The mixed data did not dampen overall market optimism in the region.
ASX Stocks
ASX 200 - 7,691.8 (+0.8%)
Key Highlights:
Leaders
TLX TELIX Pharmaceuticals Ltd 14.04%
CU6 Clarity Pharmaceuticals Ltd 8.78%
BGA Bega Cheese Ltd 7.74%
NXL NUIX Ltd 6.57%
MEZ Meridian Energy Ltd 6.07%
Laggards
EBO Ebos Group Ltd -5.24%
ERA Energy Resources of Australia Ltd -4.35%
MP1 Megaport Ltd -4.27%
VUL Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd -4.21%
OML Ooh!Media Ltd -3.62%
