Stock market holiday: Some Asian markets remained closed on 25 May due to public holidays. South Korea’s Seoul Stock Exchange and KOSDAQ were shut on account of Vesak Day, while trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange was closed for the Birthday of the Buddha holiday.
Among the markets that remained open today, Japan led regional gains, with the Nikkei 225 surging 2.75% to a record high of 65,081.96, crossing the 65,000 mark for the first time. Investor sentiment improved after reports suggested that the strategically important Strait of Hormuz could reopen soon, easing concerns over oil supply disruptions and pushing crude prices lower. Japan’s broader Topix index also advanced 0.65%.
Meanwhile, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 traded flat in a subdued session amid the holiday-thinned trading environment across the region.
