Asian stocks extend gains, boosted by Syria hopes

HONG KONG: Asian markets extended gains on Tuesday, with investors buoyed by a string of upbeat global economic data as well as signs that a US-led strike on Syria could be averted.

Buying sentiment was also boosted by a rally on Wall Street, while Japanese traders were still on a high after Tokyo's successful bid to host the Olympic Games in 2020.

Tokyo was up 1.17 percent, adding to its 2.48 percent rise on Monday as Olympic-related firms enjoyed further buying, while Hong Kong climbed 0.80 percent and Shanghai was 0.10 percent higher. Sydney put on 0.58 percent and Seoul rose 0.55 percent.

Global markets jumped on Monday after China released strong trade figures that add to recent results pointing to a pick-up in the world's number two economy and key driver of global growth.

And on Monday Japan said its economy expanded at a faster pace in the April-June quarter than originally estimated, fuelling hopes that years of anaemic growth could be coming to an end.

The positive numbers follow last week's figures on manufacturing from China, Europe and the United States that all pointed to an increase in activity.

"Prospects for a global economic rebound have allowed for more confidence in equities markets, which has made the upside direction clearer," SMBC Nikko Securities general manager of equities Hiroichi Nishi told Dow Jones Newswires.

Investors also welcomed a possible breakthrough in the Syria crisis after Russia proposed a plan to avert a US-led strike on Damascus by securing a deal for the regime to destroy its chemical weapons.

US President Barack Obama said the move could be a "significant breakthrough", easing concerns of an attack that many analysts fear could lead to a wider conflict in the Middle East.

Wall Street welcomed the latest events. The Dow rose 0.94 percent, the S&P 500 increased 1.00 percent and the Nasdaq climbed 1.26 percent.

Oil prices retreated as supply worries softened. New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate for delivery in October, was down 96 cents to $108.56 a barrel, while Brent North Sea crude for October shed 96 cents to $112.76.

In currency trade the dollar bought 99.60 yen, compared with 99.69 yen in New York on Monday.

The euro fetched 132.00 yen compared with 132.10 yen while it was at $1.3258 from $1.3254.

Gold cost $1,385.00 an ounce at 0200 GMT compared with $1,385.42 late Monday. (AFP)