Asia-Pacific markets opened higher on Friday as investors awaited a series of Chinese economic data releases expected later in the day.
By 11:20 pm AEST (1:20 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.3% to trade at fresh record highs, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 added 0.5%.
South Korea’s Kospi 200 remained closed for a public holiday.
Among data releases, Japan reported that its economy expanded 0.3% in the second quarter of 2025, ahead of forecasts for a 0.2% rise, despite facing tariff headwinds from the United States.
On a year-on-year basis, GDP grew 1.2%, slowing from 1.8% in the first quarter. Annualised growth came in at 1%, more than double the 0.4% gain expected.
Overnight in the United States, the major benchmarks traded within a narrow range near record highs.
In commodities, Brent crude climbed 1.8% to US$66.84 per barrel, while spot gold slipped 0.6% to US$3,335.59 per ounce.
In China, the Shanghai Composite closed 0.5% lower from four-year highs, and the CSI 300 eased 0.1% to 4,173.3.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 0.4% to 25,519.3, despite touching four-year highs earlier in the session. India’s BSE Sensex edged up 0.1% to 80,597.7.
European markets ended in positive territory, with the FTSE 100 adding 0.1% to close at a record 9,177.2, Germany’s DAX rising 0.8% to 24,377.5, and France’s CAC 40 advancing 0.8% to 7,870.3.
