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Hong Kong - Asian markets were mixed on Tuesday after US shares tapped fresh records for a fourth straight session, while a weaker yen helped Japan's Nikkei extend its recent rally to hit a seven-year high.
Tokyo rose 2.05% to 17 124.11 - its best finish since October 2007 - while Seoul added 0.24% to 1 936.00 and Hong Kong ended 0.27% higher at 23 808.28.
However, Sydney drifted 0.12% to 5 517.1 and Shanghai ended 0.16% off at 2 469.67.
Wall Street continued its impressive run Monday, adding to Friday's gains after data showed jobs creation was healthy in October and the unemployment rate hit a six-year low.
The figures were the latest indicating the world's top economy is on the path to recovery, with investors now keen to find out when the Federal Reserve plans to increase interest rates.
The Dow rose 0.23% and the S&P 500 added 0.31%, both hitting records for a fourth successive session, while the Nasdaq was up 0.41%.
In Tokyo the Nikkei resumed its uptrend as the yen dipped against the dollar, with analysts forecasting the index will march on through the rest of the year after the Bank of Japan's stimulus injection last month.
The dollar was at ¥115.60, compared with ¥114.83 in New York and sharply up from ¥114.16 in Tokyo earlier on Monday.
The euro bought $1.2407 compared with $1.2420, while it was also at ¥143.58 against ¥142.62.
Also providing support to Tokyo stocks is Japan's $1.26trn public pension fund - the world's biggest - which said last month it would double the amount of equities in its investment portfolio, as it seeks higher returns to cope with a rapidly ageing population.
Daiwa Securities senior strategist Tsuyoshi Nomaguchi told Dow Jones Newswires he expects the Nikkei will climb to the 18 000 mark from its present level around 16 900.
On oil markets US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for December delivery fell 27 cents to $77.13 while Brent crude for December eased 34c to $82.00 in afternoon trade.
WTI tumbled $1.25 and Brent lost $1.05 on Monday after Kuwait said the 12-nation Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) is unlikely to cut output when it meets in Vienna on November 27.
Gold was at $1 151.05 an ounce, compared with $1 171.30 late on Monday.
In other markets:
- Mumbai advanced 0.13% to end at 27 910.06.
Automobile major Mahindra & Mahindra rose 2.35% to 1 260.65 rupees, while Bharat Heavy Electricals fell 2.41% to 245.05 rupees.
- Bangkok added 0.25% to 1 571.20.
Coal producer Banpu rose 2.78% to 27.75 while mobile operator Dtac fell 1.47% to 100.50.
- Jakarta closed 1.35% higher at 5 032.28.
Palm oil producer Astra Agro Lestari rose 2.94% to 23 600 rupiah, while Indah Kiat Pulp & Paper lost 0.86% to 1 155 rupiah.
- Singapore closed down 0.27% to 3 292.15.
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation fell 0.98% to Sg$10.10 while media group Singapore Press Holdings rose 0.23% to Sg$4.30.
- Kuala Lumpur fell 2.82 points to close at 1 825.11.
Tenaga Nasional went up 0.31% to 13.14 ringgit while Maybank gained 0.41 percent to 9.79. Telekom Malaysia shed 0.28 percent to 7.12 ringgit.
- Taipei edged down 0.18% to 9 034.14.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing closed 0.37% lower at Tw$134.0 while Hon Hai Precision Industry fell 0.61% to Tw$97.7.
- Wellington rose 0.37% to 5 490.79.
Meridian Energy was up 2.01% at NZ$1.775 and Warehouse Group gained 0.31% to NZ$3.20.
- Manila closed 0.17% higher, adding 12.43 points to 7 204.55.
Philippine Long Distance Telephone rose 1.56% to 2 996 pesos and Ayala Land gained 1.31% to 34.75 pesos, but casino operator Bloomberry Resorts fell 7.48% to 13.12 pesos.
