Asian shares closed higher on Thursday, with Japan leading gains in the region. That followed moves higher on Wall Street in the last session, which saw the Dow Jones industrial average close above 25,000.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 gained 197.53 points, or 0.9%, to 22,823.26, as banking and other financial sector stocks advanced. Automakers were also broadly higher as the yen continued to trade near the 110 handle to the U.S. dollar.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index leaped 253.53 points, or 0.8%, to 31,512.63, driven by gains in heavily weighted financials.
South Korean stocks also gained. Banks and steelmakers climbed, with Posco rising 4.4% but gains were capped by declines in large-cap technology stocks. Index heavyweight Samsung Electronics fell 1.4%, lagging the broader index.
Australian markets strengthened, as mining majors like Rio Tinto and BHP extended the last session's gains, Rio adding 2.3% and BHP gaining 2.1%. Utilities and gold producers finished lower.
Investors digested news overnight relating to the possibility of the European Central Bank's asset purchasing program coming to an end after comments from the central bank's chief economist, Peter Praet.
Underlying strength in the euro area economy was making the central bank confident that inflation will move toward target, Praet said on Wednesday, adding that the institution would next week discuss how it will wind down its 30 billion euro (about $35 billion U.S.) monthly-purchase program.
In other markets
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 eased off 6.34 points, or 0.2%, to 3,831.-1
In Singapore, the Straits Times index recovered 5.27 points, or 0.2%, to 3,473.08
In Korea, the Kospi index returned from holiday to gain 16.82 points, or 0.7%, to 2,470.58
In Taiwan, the Taiex Index added 49.92 points, or 0.5%, to 11,251.75
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 gained 86.07 points, or 1%, to 8,899.52
In Australia, the ASX 200 picked up 32.19 points, or 0.5%, to 6,057.29
