Asian stock markets are notably higher on Thursday on a broadly positive lead from Wall Street overnight as well as easing bond yields and surging crude oil prices. Investors are refocusing on a vaccine and stimulus-driven global economic recovery with optimism about the reopening of the economy. The Australian stock market is higher on Thursday, recouping some of the recent losses. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 rose above the 6,800 level as the boarder market was boosted by a rally in the materials and energy sectors. Value-oriented stocks are once again dominating as investors are refocusing on a vaccine and stimulus-driven global economic recovery. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index is advancing 64.60 points or 0.95 percent to 6,842.40, after touching a low of 6,777.80 earlier. The broader All Ordinaries Index is adding 63.10 points or 0.90 percent to 7,112.50. Australian stocks closed lower on Wednesday.
The major miners are mostly lower. Fortescue Metals is losing more than 1 percent and Rio Tinto is down nearly 3 percent, while BHP Group is lower by more than 3 percent.
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April 17, 2026 15:29 ET The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to raise concerns for policymakers who worry about the impact of the supply shock and high energy prices on the real economy. Producer price data and various survey results on the housing market were the main news from the U.S. this week. In Europe, industrial production data for the euro area gained attention. GDP figures out of China and the policy move by the Singapore central bank were in focus in Asia.