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01/05/26
17
Asian Shares Rise on Wall Street Record Highs and Weaker Yen
Asian equities advanced in holiday-thinned trading on Friday, taking direction from Wall Street’s record finishes overnight. Activity was limited, with markets in China, Hong Kong and Singapore closed for the Labor Day holiday, but the regional tone remained broadly positive despite lingering caution over US–Iran tensions.
Japanese shares led gains, with the Nikkei 225 rising about 0.67% to near 59,680 and the Topix edging 0.11% higher. A weaker yen supported sentiment in Tokyo by improving the outlook for exporters and making Japanese assets more appealing to foreign investors. The currency move came as traders adjusted expectations around the relative strength of the dollar and the outlook for global risk appetite.
Australia’s ASX 200 also firmed, adding 0.9% to around 8,740 and ending an eight-session losing streak. The benchmark rebounded from a three-week low as investors stepped in to buy beaten-down names. The move was driven largely by non-energy minerals and industrial services, while an upward revision to April manufacturing activity offered an additional lift. Even so, the broader survey signaled softer output and weak underlying demand both at home and abroad.
Sentiment across the region was helped by a strong US market session, where the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 both closed at record highs. Solid corporate earnings and lower oil prices supported the rally. After the close, Apple also reported results that topped expectations, reinforcing confidence in the technology sector and helping to extend the positive mood into Asian trading.
Geopolitical risks remained a key focus. Investors watched developments in the Middle East after President Donald Trump said the United States would keep blocking Iranian ports. Tehran, meanwhile, continued to resist pressure on its nuclear program and signaled that it intended to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz. The mix of stronger earnings, softer energy prices and persistent geopolitical uncertainty left regional markets higher, but still cautious.
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