Japan at Record High Ahead of Ukraine Talks

Asia-Pacific markets mostly rose Monday as investors awaited talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The U.S.-Russia summit on ending the conflict between Kyiv and Moscow concluded without a ceasefire deal on Friday. In Japan, the Nikkei sparked higher 336 points, or 0.8%, to 43,3714.31. The best-performing stocks were , which surged 10.2%, , which advanced 7.79% and CyberAgent Inc, which added 7.67%, according to LSEG data. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng retreated 93.22 points, or 0.4%, to 25,176.85. Taiwan stocks topped its previous record close in July 2024. In Singapore, non-oil domestic exports shrank 4.6% in July from the year before, worse than the 1.8% contraction penciled in by economists polled by Reuters. July’s reading comes after a revised growth rate of 12.9% in June, data from Enterprise Singapore showed Monday. CHINA In Shanghai, the CSI 300 gained 37.06 points, or 0.9%, to 4,239.41, its highest level since October 2024. In other markets In Singapore, the Straits Times index dipped 43.15 points, or 1%, to 4,187.38 In Korea, the Kospi returned from a long weekend to gain 48.38 points, or 1.5%, 3,177.28. In Taiwan, the Taiex index zoomed 148.04 points, or 0.6%, to 24,482.52. In New Zealand, the NZX 50 tacked on 81.26 points, or 0.6%, to 12,970.64 In Australia, the ASX 200 added 20.71 points, or 0.2%, to 8,959.27