Iron ore futures closed higher on Friday in daytime trading at the Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE).The most active iron ore contract for May 2026 delivery gained 5.5 yuan (about 78 U.S. cents) to close at 783 yuan per tonne.

Tokyo stocks ended higher Friday, boosted by investors buying to secure dividend rights from companies with a business year ending in December.

Sugar futures closed higher Friday in daytime trading on the Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange (ZCE).The most active sugar contract for May 2026 delivery gained 18 yuan (2.56 U.S. dollars) to close at 5,285 yuan per tonne.

Cotton futures closed higher Friday in daytime trading on the Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange (ZCE).The most active cotton contract for May 2026 delivery gained 320 yuan (about 45.48 U.S. dollars) to close at 14,535 yuan per tonne.

The ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, gained 0.14 percent to close at 3,243.88 points Friday. The ChiNext Index, together with the Shenzhen Component Index and other indices, reflects the performance of stocks listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

Chinese stocks closed higher on Friday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up 0.1 percent to 3,963.68 points. The Shenzhen Component Index closed 0.54 percent higher at 13,603.89 points.

The ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, was down 0.21 percent to open at 3,232.41 points Friday. The ChiNext Index, together with the Shenzhen Component Index and other indices, reflects the performance of stocks listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

Chinese stocks opened mixed on Friday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index down 0.05 percent to open at 3,957.83 points. The Shenzhen Component Index opened 0.06 percent higher at 13,539.05 points.

Chinese stocks opened lower on Thursday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index down 0.08 percent to open at 3,937.72 points.

The ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, was up 0.11 percent to open at 3,232.97 points Thursday.

Hong Kong's stock market ended higher Wednesday with the benchmark Hang Seng Index up 0.17 percent to close at 25,818.93 points.

Tokyo stocks ended lower Wednesday amid a lack of new trading incentives as many foreign investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of the Christmas holidays.

The ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, gained 0.77 percent to close at 3,229.58 points Wednesday. The ChiNext Index, together with the Shenzhen Component Index and other indices, reflects the performance of stocks listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.Enditem

Chinese stocks closed higher on Wednesday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up 0.53 percent to 3,940.95 points. The Shenzhen Component Index closed 0.88 percent higher at 13,486.42 points.

The ChiNext Index, tracking China's Nasdaq-style board of growth enterprises, was up 0.07 percent to open at 3,207.41 points Wednesday. The ChiNext Index, together with the Shenzhen Component Index and other indices, reflects the performance of stocks listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

Chinese stocks opened higher on Wednesday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up 0.01 percent to open at 3,920.35 points. The Shenzhen Component Index opened 0.07 percent higher at 13,378.48 points.

The Hang Seng Index gained 5.95 points, or 0.02 percent, to open at 25,780.09 points on Wednesday.

Tokyo stocks ended slightly higher Tuesday, as bank and other financial shares continued to draw buying before investors moved to lock in gains after recent sharp advances.

Most markets rose on Tuesday, while gold and silver hit fresh records as optimism for more US interest rate cuts and an easing of AI fears helped investors prepare for the festive break on a positive note.

Hong Kong's stock market ended lower Tuesday with the benchmark Hang Seng Index down 0.11 percent to close at 25,774.14 points.