Asia Rises as Investors Parse China Data

Asia-Pacific markets rose Monday, as investors assessed escalating Israel-Iran tensions and parsed a slew of data from China.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 re-claimed 477.08 points, or 1.3%, to 38,311.33.

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng regained 168.43 points, or 0.7%, to 24,060.99.

Oil prices jumped as Israel and Iran exchanged strikes, while gold prices rallied as investors sought refuge in the safe-haven metal. The attacks continued over the weekend.

CHINA

In Shanghai, the CSI 300 recovered 9.62 points, or 0.3%, to 3,873.80.

China released its retail sales and industrial output figures for May. Retail sales jumped 6.4% from the previous year, while industrial output growth slowed to 5.8% year on year.

In other markets

In Korea, the Kospi index gained 52.04 points, or 1.8%, to 2,946.66.

In Taiwan, the Taiex index dropped 23.05 points, or 0.1%, to 22,049.90.

In Singapore, the Straits Times index shed 2.96 points, or 0.1%, to 3,908.46

In New Zealand, the NZX 50 strengthened 137.26 points, or 1.1%, to 12,690.13.

In Australia, the ASX 200 nosed ahead 0.93 points, or 0.01%, to 8,548.37.