Global markets are entering Friday on a firmer footing after a week of turbulence, as stronger-than-expected U.S. data restored some confidence in the world's largest economy, even while concerns over high valuations and uneven growth continue to temper sentiment.
Overnight in Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 advanced about 1.4 %, led by semiconductor and robotics shares, while South Korea's Kospi added roughly 0.8 % amid renewed buying in chipmakers and exporters. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index climbed 1.1 %, helped by a rebound in Chinese technology stocks after Beijing signaled additional liquidity support for key sectors. Mainland China's CSI 300 rose about 0.5 %, its first gain in three sessions, as investors took comfort from stable credit data and hints that policymakers may accelerate fiscal spending before year-end.
