Asian markets trade higher in early deals on Tuesday

Asian equity benchmarks are trading up in the early deals on Tuesday after data showed expansion in US manufacturing boosting optimism over the health of the world’s largest economy. The US September purchasing managers’ index, a key measure of factory activity jumped to 51.5, shifting back into expansionary territory, following a surprise dip to 49.4 in August. Meanwhile, crude oil prices edged lower in Asian trades after rising overnight. Despite, weak cues overnight from Wall Street capped some gains. Japan's Nikkei share average rose after the yen weakened against the dollar on data suggesting the US manufacturing sector grew more than expected in September. The markets in China remain closed all week and will re-open on Monday.

Nikkei 225 added 128.16 points or 0.77% to 16,726.83, Hang Seng gained 5.57 points or 0.02% to 23,590.00, Straits Times surged 5.65 points or 0.20% to 2,876.49, KOSPI Index jumped 9.78 points or 0.48% to 2,053.41, Taiwan Weighted rose 23.75 points or 0.26% to 9,257.95, FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI increased 11.15 points or 0.67% to 1,663.70, and Jakarta Composite was up by 5.83 points or 0.11% to 5,469.75.