Most of the Asian indices gained between 0.67 and 2.2%. Thus, the Chinese and Hong Kong indices showed the biggest increases. Shanghai Composite added 1.05%, Shenzhen Composite increased by 2.21%, and Hang Seng Index surged by 1.37%. Japan's Nikkei 225 gained 0.67% while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 lost 0.32%. South Korean stock exchanges are not working today. However, the Korean KOSPI ended last week in a positive area with an increase of 0.44%.
The main reason for investors' optimism was strong statistical data from China. Thus, the index of business activity in the service sector last month rose to 41.4 points from April's mark of 36.2 points. At the same time, the value of this indicator is still below the 50-point mark, indicating a decline in business activity.
The gradual lifting of restrictive measures in the capital and other major cities of China, caused by the new wave of COVID-19, is also encouraging.
Wuxi Biologics (Cayman) Inc. gained 9.7%, Meituan added 8.3%, and Anta Sports Products, Ltd. soared by 5.5%. Quotes of BYD Co., Ltd. rose slightly less by 5.2%, and Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. climbed by 2%.
In Japan, the country's central bank reports the intention to continue the soft monetary policy. According to the management of the regulator, at this stage, the rise in prices in the country is caused by individual factors, such as an increase in the cost of energy. The authorities believe that stimulus measures will lead to an increase in wages, and inflation will become more stable.
Among the companies included in the Nikkei 225 indicator, the shares of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. gained 6.4%, Hitachi Zosen Corp. grew by 5.5%, and Idemitsu Kosan Co, Ltd. soared by 5%. Slightly less growth was shown by Fast Retailing securities, which gained 2.5%.
At the same time, SoftBank Group stock decreased by 0.4%, and Sony dropped by 9%.
The capitalization of the largest Australian companies decreased. BHP lost 0.9%, and Rio Tinto dropped by 0.2%.