Tokyo-listed Advantest gained more than 2 per cent and Renesas more than 4 per cent, while tech investment titan SoftBank was up 2.6 per cent. TSMC in Taipei jumped 2.5 per cent.
That helped push gains across most of Asia, with Singapore, Wellington, Taipei, Manila and Jakarta all up. Hong Kong, Shanghai and Seoul were closed for holidays.
The gains followed new records for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq in New York.
Gold hit a fresh peak of US$3,977.44 – pushing closer to the US$4,000 mark – as investors eye the US government shutdown, with Republicans and Democrats appearing no closer to an agreement.
Bets on the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates this month and a political crisis are adding to the allure of the precious metal, which is a go-to asset in times of uncertainty and turmoil.
“Democrats are refusing to provide the votes the ruling Republicans need to reopen federal departments unless an agreement is reached on extending expiring Obamacare healthcare subsidies,” National Australia Bank’s Rodrigo Catril wrote.
“Meanwhile Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson told his members not even to report to Congress unless the Democrats cave, insisting any healthcare negotiation be held after re-opening the government.
“Analysts expect the shutdown could last a few weeks before some agreement is reached.”
The upbeat mood on equity markets was reflected in the crypto sphere, with bitcoin hitting a record high of US$126,251.
Source: CNA
