TOKYO: Japanese stocks were up nearly 0.8% in early trade on Wednesday after the country posted better-than-expected growth for the three months to March.
The Nikkei index was up 0.79% at 20,184.13 points.
Japan’s economy, which is the world’s third largest, expanded 0.6% in the period compared to the previous quarter, marking its second consecutive quarter of growth.
The result was far better than the 0.4% analysts had expected.
In China, the Shanghai Composite index was up 0.5% at 4,438.84 in early trade.
Mainland Chinese shares rallied to their highest level in four months on Tuesday, boosted by Beijing’s commitment to reform its financial markets this year.
Hong Kong’s benchmark Hang Seng index started in positive territory but later fell 0.26% to 27,615.7 points.
In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.52% at 5,588.20 points, failing to follow the US’ lead, where the Dow Jones closed at another fresh all-time high on Tuesday.
In South Korea, the benchmark Kospi index was up 0.35% at 2,128.22 points.
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-32806911
