Asia stocks up after China data

HONG KONG: Asian and European markets climbed Friday following news Chinese factory gate prices increased for the first time in more than four years, while the death of Thailand’s king sparked bargain-buying after suffering a sell-off in his final days.

Beijing said the producer price index rose last month after 54 consecutive months of falling, beating estimates for a drop and providing some much-needed hope for the Chinese economy a day after market-sapping trade figures.