Mainland and regional stock markets rose on Friday, trimming their losses for the week, following global efforts to restore Gulf oil shipments interrupted by the ensuing hostilities in the Middle East.

With the Hong Kong bourse closed for the holiday, the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index opened up just over eight points, or 0.21 percent, at 3,927.

The Shenzhen Component Index was 66 points, or 0.49 percent, higher at 13,553 while the ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, was up 0.79 percent to open at 3,197.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei share average opened up 576 points, or 1.1 percent, at 53,039. The benchmark was at 53,081 at one point before midday.

Artificial intelligence-related ⁠stocks led the Nikkei higher. The broader Topix was 32 points, or 0.89 percent, up at 3,643, down from a slightly stronger opening.

In Seoul, the Korea Composite Stock Price Index opened up 141 points, or 2.7 percent, at 5,375. The Kospi was at 5,353 at one point before noon.

Dozens of countries sought ways overnight to restart vital energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz after U.S. President Donald Trump vowed more ⁠aggressive attacks on Iran. (Xinhua & Reuters)



Edited by Robert Kemp