Technology shares led Asian markets higher on September 22 as lower oil prices improved investor sentiment and traders weighed the prospect of further interest-rate increases from major central banks, Reuters reported.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose more than 1% in early trading. South Korea’s technology-heavy market gained nearly 2%, Taiwan shares rose about 1.3%, China’s blue-chip index added around 0.75% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained about 0.4%.
Reuters reported that enthusiasm around artificial-intelligence stocks contributed to the gains, while Brent crude steadied around $100 a barrel after falling sharply in the previous session.
Markets were also focused on monetary policy. Investors have increased expectations for further tightening by several central banks, which has supported the U.S. dollar and kept pressure on the Japanese yen.
The latest Asian-session move follows strong technology-led gains in U.S. markets, but it represents a new regional trading session rather than a continuation of the previous Wall Street close.
Market levels can change quickly during the session, so early trading gains should not be treated as final closing figures.