Asia stocks rise amid China data, Israel-Iran tensions

June 20, 2025 (MLN): Asia-Pacific markets mostly advanced on Friday as investors assessed economic data from China and closely monitored escalating tensions between Israel and Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly deliberating on whether to support the Israeli military and authorize a strike on Tehran.

According to the White House, a final decision is expected within the next two weeks, as per CNBC.

In Greater China, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose by 1.15%, while the mainland’s CSI 300 index edged up 0.24%.

The gains followed the People’s Bank of China’s decision to keep its loan prime rates steady, maintaining the 1-year LPR at 3.0% and the 5-year rate at 3.5%, as widely expected.

In Japan, the market saw mixed movement. The benchmark Nikkei 225 inched up 0.12%, whereas the broader Topix index dipped 0.17% amid choppy trading.

Meanwhile, Japan’s core inflation rate climbed to 3.7% in May, its highest since January 2023.

The figure, which excludes fresh food prices, came in higher than the 3.6% forecast by economists polled by Reuters and exceeded April’s 3.5% reading.

South Korea’s Kospi index jumped 1.19%, crossing the 3,000 mark for the first time in 42 months. The tech-heavy Kosdaq also climbed 1.01%.

In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 trimmed earlier losses, ending down just 0.2%.

India’s markets also opened in positive territory, with the Nifty 50 rising 0.21% and the BSE Sensex gaining 0.29%.