Asian stock markets are trading mostly higher in thin-holiday trading on Monday, following the broadly positive cues from global markets on Friday, with most markets closed for the Lunar New Year holidays, as some traders looked to pick up stocks at relatively reduced levels following recent weakness. Optimism about Chinese economy after reopening helped as well. Asian markets closed mostly higher on Friday.
The Australian stock market is slightly higher on Monday, extending the gains in the previous three sessions, with the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 staying below the 7,500 level at nine-month highs, following the broadly positive cues from global markets on Friday, with technology stocks pushing the market higher.
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Market Analysis
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.