Asia-Pacific markets rose across the board, with Japan notably extending its record-breaking rally ahead of U.S. inflation figures for December.
The country’s benchmark Nikkei 225 popped 1.88% when trading started, crossing the 35,000 mark briefly for the first time since February 1990, before falling below that level. The Topix also gained 1.49% to hit fresh 33-year highs.
South Korea’s Kospi inched up 0.17%, while the small cap Kosdaq rose 0.72%.
Investors in Asia will be keeping an eye on the Bank of Korea, which will be announcing its rate decision. Economists polled by Reuters expect the bank to hold its benchmark lending rate at 3.5% for its eighth meeting in a row.
In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 started the day 0.42% higher, rebounding from Wednesday’s losses and ahead of the country’s November trade data.
Futures for Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index stood at 16,150, also pointing to a stronger open compared with the HSI’s close of 16,097.28.
Overnight in the U.S., all three major indexes gained, with traders awaiting the release of fresh U.S. inflation data and earnings.
Investors will also be looking out for the U.S. consumer price index report slated for release Thursday. Economists polled by Dow Jones expect the CPI rose 3.2% year over year in December. The producer price index reading is due on Friday.
The S&P 500 gained 0.57%, while the Dow Jones industrial Average added 0.45%. The tech heavy Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.75% to settle at 14,969.65.
— CNBC’s Sarah Min and Alex Harring contributed to this report
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