Asian stock markets ended generally higher on Wednesday, with Japanese shares advancing as investors bought Mazda Motor Corp. ahead of an extended holiday.
In Tokyo, the benchmark Nikkei 225 index climbed 0.7 percent, or 119.94 points, to end at 20,388.49 while in Hong Kong, the blue chip Hang Seng Index rose 69.51 points, or 0.34 percent, to 20,388.49.
Shares of Mazda rose 3.6%, gaining for a second day, after the company reported earlier in the week that group net profit jumped 24% in the January-to-March quarter. Earnings were helped by stronger sales of its new sport utility vehicle and subcompact cars in North America.
Other Japanese automotive shares fell after data showed U.S. vehicle sales declined in April.
Shares in tire-maker Bridgestone Corp. rose 1.8% after the company reported a 3.6% rise in first-quarter net profit, bolstered by strong growth in sales in Europe and Asia.
Elsewere:
TAIPEI -- Taiwan shares rose Wednesday, boosted by strength in neighboring Asian bourses. The Weighted Price Index of the Taiwan Stock Exchange gained 27.62 points, or 0.4 percent, to close at 7,903.04 in light volume.
MANILA -- Philippine shares rose marginally Wednesday, led by Manila Electric Co. on expectations of high second-quarter electricity revenue amid hot temperatures. The benchmark 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange Index gained 1.26 points, or 0.04 percent, at 3,271.99, after Monday's 1.4 percent fall. Markets were closed Tuesday for Labor Day.
SEOUL -- South Korean shares rose Wednesday on gains in Hyundai Motor Co. and shipping companies. The won gained. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 11.06 points, or 0.7 percent, to 1,553.30, compared with Monday's close. Financial markets were closed Tuesday for a holiday.
SINGAPORE -- Singapore shares rose Wednesday, helped by generally healthy quarterly earnings, but traders said the market may struggle to find new positive cues. The Straits Times Index closed up 56.52 points, or 1.7 percent, at 3,417.81 with gainers outnumbering decliners 491 to 312 on the broader market.
JAKARTA -- Indonesian shares rose slightly Wednesday as late buying in consumer goods producer Unilever Indonesia and coal miner Bukit Asam erased earlier losses. The Jakarta Stock Exchange Composite index closed up 7.381 points, or 0.4 percent, to 2,008.559, up from intraday low 1,987.897, although losers outpaced gainers 114 to 94 and 42 stocks were unchanged.
AUSTRALIA -- the S&P/ASX 200 ended 1.5% higher at 6,237.7.
Markets in China, India and Malaysia were closed for public holidays.
With files from wire services
