Beijing, China (BBN)-Asian markets traded mostly higher, taking a positive lead from Wall Street after a rally lead shares to close at a record high.
The Nasdaq hit a fresh record, up 1.5% overnight, as US shares broadly reversed sharp losses from the previous session, reports BBC.
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index was 0.8% to 20,627.42 – higher for the ninth consecutive day.
Investor confidence was boosted by retail sales data rebounding in April.
Retail sales in April rose 5% from a year earlier after falling for three consecutive months and dropping 9.7% in March.
Chinese shares fell with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng down 0.5% to 27,936.01, while the Shanghai Composite was trading flat at 4,939.68.
In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.3% to 5,706.6 despite iron ore prices rising for the fourth session to the highest level since early March.
Shares in miners Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton were lower by 0.2% and 1% respectively.
South Korean shares were up with the benchmark Kospi up 0.7% to 2,121.26.
