Investing.com - Share markets across the Asian-Pacific region lifted in early Wednesday deals, following a positive performance for US indices.
By 11:25 am AEDT (12:25 am GMT), the S&P/ASX 200 and KOSPI 200 lifted 0.2% and 0.8% respectively, while the Nikkei 225 remained closed for a public holiday.
During Tuesday's US session, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.8% to 39111, the S&P 500 gained 0.6% to 5179, and the Nasdaq increased by 0.4% to 16167.
In the commodities market, Brent crude oil saw a 0.5% rise to US$87.29 a barrel, while gold dropped by 0.1% to US$2,157.73. Australian bond markets experienced an increase, with the yield on 2 Year government bonds at 3.81%, and the 10 Year yield at 4.08%. Meanwhile, US Treasury notes fell, with the 2-year yield at 4.69% and the 10-year yield at 4.29%.
In Asia, Chinese shares closed lower due to ongoing property concerns, with most sectors experiencing a downturn, led by financial and pharmaceutical stocks. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell by 1.2%, weighed down by biotech and transport-related stocks. In contrast, Japanese stocks ended higher, driven by gains in real estate stocks after the Bank of Japan ended negative interest rates. Indian shares closed lower, with investors focusing on the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting and other central bank decisions.
In Europe, stocks ended Tuesday on a high note. The STOXX Europe 600 Index closed up 0.26% at 505.23, the CAC 40 Index up 0.65% to 8,201.05, and the DAX up 0.31% at 17,987.49. The FTSE 100 index also rose, closing up 0.2% at 7,738.30 points.
In other news, Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO), the global mining company, announced a $535 million investment in its Rincon lithium plant in Argentina, with plans to commence production by the end of the year.