Asian chipmakers surged on Friday and broader equities rallied, as risk appetite returned on hopes that a Middle East peace deal may finally materialise.

In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng Index rose 468 points, or 1.9 percent, to 24,718 on turnover of HK$316.44 billion.

The tech index rose 49 points, or 1.1 percent, to 4,705 while the China enterprises index gained 157 points, or 1.9 percent, to 8,374.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite Index ended the day 44 points, or 1.12 percent, at 4,031 on turnover of 1.54 trillion yuan.

The Shenzhen Component Index rose 111 points, or 0.75 percent to 14,963 on turnover of 1.68 trillion yuan while the ChiNext Index gained 19 points, or 0.5 percent, to 3,830 on turnover of 805.74 billion yuan.

Equities, particularly the AI-heavy gauges in South Korea, soared on hopes of a Middle East peace deal after US President Donald Trump said a deal could be signed as soon as this weekend.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei ended 1,802 points, or 2.81 percent, higher at 66,020 after rising up to 4.4 percent earlier in the day.

In a volatile week, the 225-strong benchmark is down 0.85 percent for the week, snapping a three-week winning streak. The broader Topix gained 51 points, or 1.35 percent, to 3,881.

In Seoul, the Kospi closed up almost 360 points, or 4.63 percent, at 8,123 after rising up to 8.6 percent during the session, triggering a "sidecar" trading curb. For the week, the Kospi ended down 0.45 percent, after falling 3.72 percent last week. (Reuters & Xinhua)


Edited by Edmond Fong