Asian shares firmed on Thursday thanks to stronger U.S. economic data, while growing prospects of a near-term U.S. rate hike and possible tapering of stimulus in Europe hit gold and lifted the dollar to one-month highs versus the yen. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS rose 0.4 percent.
Japan's Nikkei share average rose for a fourth straight session on Thursday as a weaker yen boosted investors' risk appetite, while Fujitsu Ltd surged on news that Lenovo is taking over its computer business. The Nikkei gained 0.5 percent to 16,899.10 points.
Hong Kong stocks had solid gains on Thursday, boosted by buying of Chinese shares as some investors built positions ahead of next week's reopening of the China market. The benchmark Hang Seng Index rose 0.7 percent at 23,952.50 points and the China Enterprises Index gained 1.4 percent - its biggest one-day gain since Sept. 19 - to 9,947.10 points.
Reference: Reuters
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