Brighter data from China meanwhile has helped lift sentiment across global markets, except for China, heading into the weekend. While Japan's Nikkei (.N225) rose 1% and European shares opened higher (.STOXX), China shares reversed earlier gains (.CSI300). European markets continued to cheer the likely end of the European Central Bank's rate hiking cycle. And even if the ECB suggested rates would stay higher for longer, markets are already looking past that to rate cuts as economic growth weakens. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

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