Asian shares pick up on optimism from U.S. data

Asian shares picked up in the last trading session this week, after reports from the U.S. showed improvements in manufacturing activity and the housing sector. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index climbed 0.2% to record 148.74 as of 9:30 AM in Hong Kong.

Yesterday`s data showed existing home sales in the world`s largest economy inclined to the most since September 2013, and the gauge of economic outlook for the next three to six months jumped 0.9%. The Markit Economics preliminary index of manufacturing in the United States inched up in August to the highest level since April 2010, adding optimism in the equity market.

As for regional gauges, Japan`s Topix index and Nikkei 225 rose 0.1%, while Hong Kong`s Hang Seng index climbed 0.2% and South Korea`s Kospi index inclined 0.6%.

Australia`s S&P/ASX 200 index added 0.3%, while New Zealand`s NZX 50 index rose 0.2% and China`s Shanghai Composite index rose 0.2% as well.