China stocks closes at six-month high as Middle East truce lifts sentiment

Shanghai stocks hit 6-month highs, with the Composite up 1.04% and CSI300 up 1.44% on ceasefire optimism and rate-cut hopes.

Brokerage and defence stocks led gains, with CSI securities sub-index rallying 5.48% and defence up 3.68%.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index rose 1.23%, closing at its highest level since March 19.

Fed rate cut hopes grow, as Powell hints at possible easing if inflation remains controlled.