Asian markets settled mostly higher on Thursday tracking Wall Street's tech-led rally overnight after in-line US inflation data cementing expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates by another quarter point next week. Japanese shares gained with Nikkei index topped 40,000 for the first time since mid-October followed by advances in chip-sector shares, while the yen languished near two-week low against the dollar as traders pared bets for a Bank of Japan interest rate hike next week. Moreover, Chinese shares climbed ahead the outcome of a key policy meeting in China, where leaders are expected to map out next year's economic priorities. Sentiments rose further after reports that China's leaders and policymakers are considering allowing the yuan to weaken next year in response to the threat of a trade war with the United States.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 3,461.50 | 29.01 | 0.84 |
| Hang Seng | 20,397.05 | 242.00 | 1.19 |
| Jakarta Composite | 7,394.24 | -70.51 | -0.95 |
| KLSE Composite | 1,602.08 | -1.12 | -0.07 |
| Nikkei 225 | 39,849.14 | 476.91 | 1.20 |
| Straits Times | 3,809.27 | 16.45 | 0.43 |
| KOSPI Composite | 2,482.12 | 39.61 | 1.60 |
| Taiwan Weighted | 23,046.80 | 143.17 | 0.62 |
