Asian markets forged higher Tuesday after another day of gains on Wall Street led by technology stocks.
U.S. futures were nearly flat and oil prices edged higher.
Tokyo’s Nikkei 225, reopening after a national holiday, jumped 1.6% to 38,835.10. The advance was led by semiconductor companies like Tokyo Electron, which closed 4.8% higher, and Advantest, which picked up 2.2%.
The Kospi in South Korea surged 2.1% to 2,731.83, helped by big tech companies like Samsung Electronics, which racked up a 4.5% gain, and smaller rival SK Hynix, which added 3.7%.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng shed 0.5% to 18,470.90. But the Shanghai Composite index recovered from early losses, gaining 0.3% to 3,148.56.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 advanced 1.3% to 7,781.70 after the central bank decided to keep interest rates unchanged at 4.35%.
While the Reserve Bank of Australia has likely set the bar high for any rate hikes, it “will probably need to see several more months of soft data before it is confident that it can loosen policy settings. All told, rate cuts will likely take longer to materialize than most are anticipating,” Abhijit Surya of Capital Economics said in a commentary.
Israel Gaza: Biden urges Israel to protect Rafah civilians
China to launch awareness campaign on national security laws
ABC managing director David Anderson faces Senate questions on Lattouf case, Gaza coverage
Money isn't enough to smooth the path for Republican candidates hoping to retake the Senate
Thaksin Shinawatra: Former Thai prime minister released on parole
China's State Council appoints new officials
New air route links Changsha, Mongolia
Blackpink fans joke that singer Rosé, 27, is a jinx that breaks up high
China to strengthen capital market regulation, risk prevention