Asian stocks powered to record highs on Monday on expectations that weaker job growth in the U.S. will prompt the Federal Reserve to cut rates sooner than had been expected.
In Tokyo, the benchmark Nikkei 225 stock index added 274.91 points, or 1.58 percent, to finish at 17,669.83 while in Hong Kong, the blue chip Hang Seng Index rose 55.56 points, or 0.27 percent, to 20,896.64 after it had touched the all-time high level of 21,070.21.
Among Japanese export-related shares, Canon was up 4.1%, Sony Corp. added 2.3% and Honda Motor Co. climbed 1.7%.
Elsewere:
BANGKOK: Financial markets in Thailand were closed for a holiday.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's benchmark stock index climbed as major firms announced positive corporate developments. The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index of 100 blue chips added 0.1 percent to 1,365.28 points.
MANILA: Philippine shares advanced after a steady rise on Wall Street. The benchmark 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange Index gained 51.41 points, or 1.6 percent, at 3,329.89.
SINGAPORE: Singapore shares finished lower as investors backed down ahead of quarterly results from banking heavyweights later in the week. The Straits Times Index closed down 8.17 points, or 0.2 percent, at 3,477.59, pulling back from an all-time intraday high of 3,523.41 reached earlier.
TAIPEI: Taiwan shares rose as investors expected the new ruling party presidential candidate could help improve relations with rival China. The Weighted Price Index of the Taiwan Stock Exchange rose 49.21 points, or 0.6 percent, to close at 8,115.27, the highest level since August 22, 2000 when it closed at 8,118.05.
WELLINGTON: New Zealand stocks were flat with heavyweight Telecom dragging on the index, while other large-cap stocks were underpinned by merger and acquisition activity. The benchmark NZX-50 index fell 3.73 points, or 0.1 percent, to 4,202.58.
SYDNEY: The Australian share market continued its record run with reports from market analysts suggesting that the world's biggest miner BHP Billiton could take over rival Rio Tinto sent both stocks surging. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index rose 30.8 points, or 0.5 percent, to a new closing record of 6,335.7.
Financial markets in China and Thailand were closed for a holiday.
With files from wire services
