Stock Markets Rise Ahead of US-Russia Summit

Stock markets mainly rose on Friday, with all eyes on a historic US-Russia summit aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are meeting in Alaska later in the day.

European markets gained ground after Asian stock exchanges mostly closed higher. Joshua Mahony of Scope Markets noted that the Trump-Putin meeting raised hopes for a possible end to the war. Vladimir Putin will be on Western soil for the first time since ordering the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Investors appeared optimistic, according to investment director Russ Mould. Oil prices were somewhat volatile ahead of the summit.

In Tokyo, the main stock index continued its upward trend following Japan's growth figures, while weak economic data from China led to mixed performance for Chinese stocks. Wall Street saw slight fluctuations on Thursday.