Shares rise on hopes for stimulus in China

RECAP: Asian stocks inched higher yesterday as weak manufacturing data from China stoked expectations of fresh stimulus, even as strong US data bolstered the view that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates higher for longer.

The yen and the yuan were also in focus amid concern from authorities in both countries about weakness in the currencies.

Domestically, the stock market has been plagued by political uncertainty and trouble involving small and mid-sized stocks, particularly scandal-plagued Stark Corp.

The SET Index moved in a range of 1,461.61 and 1,507.63 points this week before closing yesterday at 1,503.10, down 0.2% from the previous week, in daily turnover averaging 50.53 billion baht.

Retail investors were net buyers of 3.49 billion baht. Brokers were net sellers of 2.45 billion, followed by institutions at 547.38 million and foreign investors at…