Defying the sell-off in the global markets, Asian stock markets are trading mostly higher on Friday, as traders react to easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East after Israel heeded to US' request to delay its Gaza invasion. The upside has been limited due to the stronger than expected US GDP data that raised concerns the US Fed will leave interest rates higher for longer than expected. Asian markets ended mostly lower on Thursday.
Snapping a two-session losing streak, the Australian stock market is modestly higher on Friday, despite the broadly negative cues from global markets overnight. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 is staying above the 6,800 level, aided by gains in technology and financial stocks.
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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.