Asian stocks mostly gained while oil prices steadied on Thursday over expectations of an extension of a ceasefire in the Iran war and hopes for more talks between the US and Iran.
Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 jumped 2.4%, while South Korea’s Kospi climbed 2%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose and the Shanghai Composite index was up 0.6%.
China on Thursday reported 5% economic growth for the January-March quarter, an acceleration from the previous quarter, the Associated Press reports
While economists say China has largely shrugged off the initial impacts from the Iran war, some are warning its massive export engine could be hit more significantly in the coming months on slower global economic growth.
Taiwan’s Taiex was trading 0.9% higher, while Australia’s S+P/ASX 200 edged down 0.1%.
