Asian markets traded mostly higher in early deals on Wednesday, buoyed by expectations of stable interest rates and ongoing recovery in regional economies. Rally in technology and financial sector stocks supported the local indices. Japan’s Nikkei advanced as investor sentiments among Japanese manufacturers improved in July driven largely by a rebound in the semiconductor sector. Softer local currency yen also raised profit outlook in export-oriented sectors.

Nikkei 225 up by 171.29 points or 0.43% to 39,849.31, Hang Seng enlarged by 68.43 points 0.28% to 24,658.55, Straits Times rose by 10.00 points 0.24% to 4,129.82, Jakarta Composite added by 38.11 points or 0.53% to 7,178.58, and Taiwan Weighted lifted by 176.65 points 0.77% to 23,012.59.

On the flip side, KOSPI Index down by 27.05 points or 0.84% to 3,188.23, Shanghai Composite narrowed by 4.38 points or 0.13% to 3,500.62, and FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI declined 7.90 points or 0.52% to 1,517.50