Hong Kong (AFP) - Asian markets surged on Friday after a bumper session on Wall Street as lower US inflation dimmed expectations of more aggressive Federal Reserve rate hikes.
Hong Kong stocks rocketed more than 7.7 percent, while Tokyo's key Nikkei index also surged, closing up almost three percent.
The gains extended global rallies after the US consumer price index (CPI) showed that the annual pace of inflation was a lower-than-expected 7.7 percent in October, down from 8.2 percent in September.
As US residents reel from sky-high costs, the central bank has moved forcefully to lower demand by raising the benchmark lending rate six times this year.
The latest inflation data should be welcome news to Fed policymakers because prices are "finally showing some response" to the steep rate hikes, said Rubeela Farooqi of High Frequency Economics.
"Inflation has finally started to drop like a rock in the US and this is the best news that anyone can expect," added AvaTrade analyst Naeem Aslam.
The dollar slumped against rival currencies following the data release, and shares rallied as investors cheered the prospect of less hawkish moves by the central bank.
The Dow was up 3.7 percent at the close and the tech-heavy Nasdaq index soared 7.4 percent.
Most Asian markets matched the upbeat mood, with the Hong Kong, Shanghai and Shenzhen indexes also buoyed by China's announcement of a slight relaxation to its hardline Covid-19 restrictions.
Shanghai was up 1.7 percent, and Shenzhen closed up 1.3 percent.
Taipei jumped 3.7 percent, Seoul was up 3.4 percent and Sydney climbed 2.8 percent.Singapore rose 1.6 percent and Mumbai put on 1.7 percent.
European stock markets rose at the open Friday but failed to match the huge gains in Asia and on Wall Street.
"As expected, buying in Asia tech is standing out this morning," Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management said.
"But with investors still looking over their shoulders at the crypto schism and rising Covid cases in China, that tide that was lifting all boats is starting to recede in places," he cautioned.
Trade may also be "dominated by profit-taking and position squaring" after the rallies overnight and ahead of a US market holiday on Friday.
The crypto world has meanwhile been rocked by a surprise decision from Binance, the world's biggest cryptocurrency platform, to scrap a possible acquisition of rival FTX.com -- plunging bitcoin to a two-year low.
Investor Louis Navellier said the US inflation data was "a welcome relief" for markets.
"(It) takes stocks back to green for November and should let the seasonal rally continue with a little less fear of the Fed and more optimism about (2023) earnings estimates," he said in a note.
Daniel Berkowitz, senior investment officer for investment manager Prudent Management Associates, however, struck a note of caution.
"While it always feels good to see markets rally, we think this morning’s rally is bordering on silly," he said.
"The market is reacting as if this is the continuance of a multiple-month, downward trend in inflation, and it is not."
Key figures around 0800 GMT
Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 2.98 percent at 28,263.57 (close)
Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 7.7 percent at 17,325.66
Shanghai - Composite: UP 1.7 percent at 3,087.29 (close)
Pound/dollar: UP at $1.1722 from $1.1642 on Thursday
Euro/dollar: UP at $1.0233 from $1.0131
Dollar/yen: DOWN at 141.41 yen from 143.15 yen
Euro/pound: UP at 87.29 pence from 87.20 pence
West Texas Intermediate: UP 2.6 percent at $88.75 per barrel
Brent North Sea crude: UP 2.6 percent at $96.07 per barrel
New York - Dow: UP 3.7 percent at 33,715.37 points (close)
London - FTSE 100: UP 1.1 percent at 7,375.34 (close)
