Asian stocks hit records as U.S.–China trade hope elevates risk appetite

Asian equity markets surged on Monday as investor risk appetite rebounded amid expectations that Donald Trump and Xi Jinping will decide on a trade-deal framework this week. Japan’s Nikkei 225 and South Korea’s KOSPI both rose more than 2 %, and the broad Asia-Pacific index hit a record. At the same time, gold dropped about 1% and U.S. Treasury yields edged higher, as safe-haven demand eased in favour of equities. The move comes ahead of major central-bank decisions this week and a flurry of tech earnings.