Investing.com - Asian stock markets outside Japan were higher on Tuesday, with shares in Australia rallying to the highest level since September 2008 on the back of strong gains in the financial sector.
Markets in Japan resumed trade following the previous day’s holiday to end slightly lower as the U.S. dollar weakened against the yen, weighing on exporters.
During late Asian trade, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 0.7%, Australia’s ASX/200 Index ended up 1.3%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index closed down 0.2%.
In Australia, the benchmark ASX/200 Index hit an intraday level not seen since September 2008 after Australia and New Zealand Banking Group reported better-than-expected earnings, boosting shares in the financial sector.
ANZ Banking Group surged 5.8% to hit an all-time high following the upbeat earnings. National Australia Bank and Westpac Banking Group climbed 3% and 2% apiece, while Commonwealth Bank of Australia tacked on 2.6%.
Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng edged up, but gains were limited as investors remained on the sidelines with this week's holidays in China.
Europe-focused retailer Esprit was among the notable gainers, up 3.7%, while Ping An Insurance Group rose 2.5%.
Elsewhere, in Tokyo, the Nikkei eased down modestly, as the yen strengthened against the U.S. dollar. The greenback moved further away from the key JPY100 level, with USD/JPY falling to a session low of 97.77.
In earnings news, industrial robot maker Fanuc saw shares tumble 5.6% following the release of the company’s disappointing earnings report.
Automaker Honda slumped 3.4% after the company’s earnings forecasts for the current fiscal year fell short of market expectations.
Other shares in the sector were lower on the news, with Mazda and Nissan dropping 3.5% and 1.8% respectively, while Toyota retreated 1.2%.
Looking ahead, European stock market futures pointed to a steady open.
The EURO STOXX 50 futures pointed to a flat open, France’s CAC 40 futures added 0.1%, London’s FTSE 100 futures eased up 0.1%, while Germany's DAX futures pointed to a gain of 0.1% at the open.
The euro zone was to release preliminary data on consumer inflation as well as official data on the unemployment rate later Tuesday. The Gfk Institute was to publish a report on German consumer climate, while Spain was to release preliminary data on first quarter economic growth and Germany was to produce government data on the change in the number of people unemployed.
The U.S. was to release data on consumer confidence, a report on manufacturing activity in Chicago and private sector data on house price inflation.
Markets in Japan resumed trade following the previous day’s holiday to end slightly lower as the U.S. dollar weakened against the yen, weighing on exporters.
During late Asian trade, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 0.7%, Australia’s ASX/200 Index ended up 1.3%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index closed down 0.2%.
In Australia, the benchmark ASX/200 Index hit an intraday level not seen since September 2008 after Australia and New Zealand Banking Group reported better-than-expected earnings, boosting shares in the financial sector.
ANZ Banking Group surged 5.8% to hit an all-time high following the upbeat earnings. National Australia Bank and Westpac Banking Group climbed 3% and 2% apiece, while Commonwealth Bank of Australia tacked on 2.6%.
Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng edged up, but gains were limited as investors remained on the sidelines with this week's holidays in China.
Europe-focused retailer Esprit was among the notable gainers, up 3.7%, while Ping An Insurance Group rose 2.5%.
Elsewhere, in Tokyo, the Nikkei eased down modestly, as the yen strengthened against the U.S. dollar. The greenback moved further away from the key JPY100 level, with USD/JPY falling to a session low of 97.77.
In earnings news, industrial robot maker Fanuc saw shares tumble 5.6% following the release of the company’s disappointing earnings report.
Automaker Honda slumped 3.4% after the company’s earnings forecasts for the current fiscal year fell short of market expectations.
Other shares in the sector were lower on the news, with Mazda and Nissan dropping 3.5% and 1.8% respectively, while Toyota retreated 1.2%.
Looking ahead, European stock market futures pointed to a steady open.
The EURO STOXX 50 futures pointed to a flat open, France’s CAC 40 futures added 0.1%, London’s FTSE 100 futures eased up 0.1%, while Germany's DAX futures pointed to a gain of 0.1% at the open.
The euro zone was to release preliminary data on consumer inflation as well as official data on the unemployment rate later Tuesday. The Gfk Institute was to publish a report on German consumer climate, while Spain was to release preliminary data on first quarter economic growth and Germany was to produce government data on the change in the number of people unemployed.
The U.S. was to release data on consumer confidence, a report on manufacturing activity in Chicago and private sector data on house price inflation.