TOKYO: Stocks rose across most of Asia on Thursday, with the chip sector buoyant following a strong rally among U.S. peers overnight and a robust start to Wall Street's earnings season also lifting the mood.
Japan's Nikkei advanced 1.2%, with chip- and artificial intelligence-related shares boosting the index. The momentum increased after Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC reported record earnings. Taiwanese share trading was already closed at the time of TSMC's announcement, ending the day up 1.4% and reaching a record.
South Korea's KOSPI jumped 2.2% to its own record peak after the country's chief presidential policy adviser said he was "optimistic" about ongoing talks to finalise a trade deal with the U.S.
Australia's equity benchmark added 0.9% and also reached a record high with poor jobs data raising the odds of central bank easing.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 0.7% and mainland Chinese blue chips were flat in a volatile session.
U.S. stock futures were overall flat following a 0.4% gain for the S&P 500 and a 0.6% rise for the Nasdaq overnight. The Philadelphia SE Semiconductor Index surged 3%. — Reuters
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
