Mainland stocks inched higher on Monday, led by technology shares, as strong industrial profit growth and renewed AI enthusiasm outweighed concerns over stalled peace talks between the United States and Iran.

In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng Index ended down 52 points, or 0.2 percent, at 25,925.

The China enterprises index was down 19 points, or 0.22 percent, at 8,756 while the tech index was up 37 points, or 0.77 percent, at 4,939.

Up north, the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index inched up to end the day six points, or 0.16 percent, at 4,086.

The Shenzhen Component Index was 55 points, or 0.37 percent, higher at 14,960 while the ChiNext was down 19 points, or 0.52 percent, at 3,648.

Technology stocks led mainland gains, bolstered by renewed excitement about artificial intelligence spending that has lifted chip shares across the region.

The Nasdaq-style Star 50 Index rallied 3.8 percent to a three-month high.

The CSI Semiconductor Index surged six percent to a three-month high and the CSI ⁠Info Tech Index jumped 3.3 percent.

The gains came as profits at ⁠China's industrial firms grew at their quickest pace in half a year last month, adding to broader signs of an uneven economic recovery in the first quarter as policymakers brace for the impact of the ⁠Middle East war.

However, stalled US-Iran peace talks kept investor sentiment in check after US President Donald Trump cancelled a weekend trip to Islamabad by his envoys for talks.

"Equity markets have gradually returned to pricing on fundamental despite recurring external geopolitical headwinds," analysts at Guotai Haitong Securities said in a note.

Thematic rotation has picked up pace and risk appetite is on the mend, with a shift from overseas supply chains to domestic substitution remaining a key theme to watch, they said.

Elsewhere, China's top leadership will hold the April Politburo meeting this week to discuss economic policies for the coming months.

"We expect policymakers to express greater concerns about the global energy shock and rising geopolitical ⁠uncertainties, instead of additional easing measures," analysts at Goldman Sachs said in a note.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei closed above the key 60,000 mark for the first time, up 821 points or 1.38 percent at 60,537, as optimism over corporate earnings overshadowed concerns about the Middle East conflict.

The broader Topix climbed 18 points, or 0.5 percent, to 3,735.

The Nikkei has gained 18.6 percent so far this year.

In Seoul, the benchmark Kospi joined the Nikkei in ending the day on a high, with the benchmark jumping 139 points, or 2.15 percent, to 6,615. (Reuters/Xinhua)


Edited by Tony Sabine