06:43 AM EDT, 04/14/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Asian stock markets largely moved higher Monday on hopes that Washington may temper trade tariffs in pending negotiations.

Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo finished in the green, as did most other regional exchanges. Stock markets in Bangkok and Mumbai were closed on holiday.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 opened higher and held ground, finishing up 1.2% as semiconductor and electronics issues rose on prospects for tariff relief.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 396.78 to 33,982.36, as gaining issues outnumbered losers 166 to 58.

Leading the upside was electronics-and-materials manufacturer Taiyo Yuden, up 6%, while retail conglomerate Aeon fell 4%.

In economic news, Japan's industrial production rose 0.1% on year in February and 2.3% month-over-month, reported the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index opened higher and traded evenly, finishing up 2.4% after the Trump Administration signaled certain consumer electronics may be exempt from higher tariffs.

The broad gauge Hang Seng rose 502.71 to 21,417.40, as gaining issues outnumbered losers 78 to five. The Hang Seng TECH Index gained 2.3% on the day, while the Mainland Properties Index rose 0.7%.

Leading the upside was CSPC Pharma, gaining 9.5%, while China Resources Beer declined 3.2%.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite rose 0.8% to 3,262.81.

In economic news, China's exports in March rose 12.4% on year to $313.9 billion, while imports declined by 4.3% on year to $211.3 billion, reported the official Customs Administration.

On the other regional exchanges, the S. Korean KOSPI rose 1%; the Taiwan TWSE declined 0.1%; the Australian ASX 200 inclined 1.3% and the Singapore Straits Times Index rose 1%.

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