Global stocks advanced for a fourth consecutive day – on track for the best winning streak in more than two months – as trade tensions cooled and after Federal Reserve officials indicated they would be open to cutting rates earlier than anticipated.
The MSCI Asia-Pacific Index extended its gains after Bloomberg News reported China’s government is considering suspending its 125% tariff on some US imports.
Shares in South Korea rose 1% as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US may reach an “agreement of understanding” on trade as soon as next week.
The Nikkei-225 climbed as much as 2% on positive comments from the US-Japan trade talks. A gauge of the dollar advanced while Treasuries held gains from Thursday.
Appetite for risk is returning as the White House strikes a conciliatory tone, boosting investor optimism the US will clinch crucial trade deals with top economic partners.
In a sign that markets may be stabilizing after the jolt from Donald Trump’s century-high levies, a gauge of Asian stocks on Friday erased all its losses since April 2 — the day the US president announced his reciprocal tariffs.
