Stocks in Asia were mostly higher Wednesday after positive U.S. economic news powered Wall Street shares to a record.
The Nikkei 225 returned from holiday to gain 219.09 points, or 1.2%, to 17,854.23
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index regained 15.65 points, or 0.1%, 23,349.34. Light trading was expected in the region ahead of the Christmas holiday. The Hong Kong market had a half-session of trade, closing midday.
The gains followed a breathless session on Wall Street, where the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 18,000 for the first time after gaining nearly 1,000 points in five trading days.
Major exporters to Japan traded higher after data showed the U.S. economy in the third quarter grew at its strongest pace in over a decade. Consumer spending in the world’s largest economy also accelerated.
Tokyo-listed shares of vehicle maker Fuji Heavy Industries rose 2.1% and Honda Motor gained 2%.
CHINA
Chinese stocks were the lone decliner in the region.
Shanghai’s CSI 300 index dropped 94.84 points, or 2.8%, to 3,230.39.
One expert said the index had stalled above the 3,000 mark after a surge of foreign buying that followed China’s interest-rate cut last month. The Shanghai Composite remains up 43% this year.
In other markets;
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index tacked on 13.41 points, or 0.4%, to 3,345.91
The Taiex index in Taiwan gained 88.47 points, or 1%, to 9,186.18
Korea’s Kospi index moved higher 7.59 points, or 0.4%, to 1,946.61
New Zealand’s Exchange 50 took on 5.32 points, or 0.1%, to 5,557.42
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 faded restored 13.58 points, or 0.3%, to 5,394.50
