HSI Gains As News Of Trump-Kim Talk Lifts Asia

Hong Kong stocks rallied for a second day on Friday as investors welcomed news that Donald Trump would meet Kim Jong-un to discuss North Korea's nuclear programme.

The Hang Seng Index rose 0.9 percent, to 30,914 by the break.

On the mainland, the Shanghai market edged up 0.1 percent, to 3,292 while the Shenzhen composite index gained 0.9 percent, to 1,873.

News of the planned summit provided a springboard for other Asian markets, with Seoul surging 1.5 percent and Tokyo ending the morning session 0.9 percent higher.

Sydney rose 0.6 percent and Singapore 0.2 percent. Taipei, Manila and Jakarta were also up.

On currency markets the US dollar gained ground against the euro after the European Central Bank lowered its inflation outlook, which tempered expectations for tighter monetary policy.

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