Japanese stocks rose for a second straight session Tuesday, led by technology and banking shares following upbeat earnings forecasts.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 stock index added 123.18 points, or 0.7 percent, to finish at 17,680.05 points on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Hong Kong shares fell Tuesday, led by declines in major blue chips and China-linked companies as investors locked in profits after the benchmark index rose above 21,000 in earlier session. The blue chip Hang Seng Index fell 83.83 points, or 0.4 percent, to 20,843.92, after hitting 21,020.42 in early trading.
Chinese stocks rose to a fresh record high for the second day in a row on Tuesday, as property developers jumped on expectations for a stronger yuan and robust housing demand. The Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.9 percent to 4,110.38, breaking above 4,100 for the first time. The Shenzhen Composite Index climbed 1.4 percent to 1,198.41, also a record high.
Elsewhere:
SINGAPORE: The benchmark Straits Times Index rose 25.33 points, or 0.7 percent, to close at a record 3,539.82.
TAIPEI: The Weighted Price Index of the Taiwan Stock Exchange rose 47.04 points, or 0.6 percent, to close at 8188.63 points.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index of 100 blue chips surged 1.5 percent to 1,367.51 points, just short of its record high of 1,368.87 points.
SEOUL: The Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 14.68 points, or 0.9 percent, to 1,642.88.
MANILA: The benchmark 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange Index gained 38.69 points, or 1.1 percent, at 3,505.03, adding to Monday's 0.5 percent gain.
SYDNEY: The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index fell 30.2 points, or 0.5 percent, to 6,338.8.
WELLINGTON: The benchmark NZX-50 managed to notch up another record high in intraday trading, briefly brushing 4,319.54 before settling flat at 4,289.59.
With files from wire services
