Asian stocks follow Wall St. up on strong Japan, Korea data

BEIJING (AP) — Asian stock markets followed Wall Street higher Thursday after Japan and South Korea reported unexpectedly strong economic data and President Joe Biden announced a $2.3 trillion U.S. infrastructure spending plan.

Market benchmarks in Shanghai, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Sydney advanced.

Japan's closely watched Tankan survey found business conditions improved more than expected. South Korea reported higher March export growth. House prices rose in New Zealand and Australian manufacturing expanded.

“Asia-Pacific released a lot of data today, including Japan’s latest Tankan survey. Most of it was positive,” Robert Carnell of ING said in a report.

Biden announced plans to spend on broadband internet and clean energy, roads, bridges and public transit. The plan would roll back corporate tax cuts enacted under his predecessor, Donald Trump.

There was little market reaction because “investors appear to have already priced in” the spending and taxes, said Edward Moya of Oanda in a report.

The Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.3% to 3,451.64 and the Nikkei 225 in Tokyo advanced 0.7% to 29,385.85. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong added 1% to 28,655.42.

The Kospi in Seoul was 0.7% higher at 3,081.68 while Sydney's S&P-ASX 200 gained 0.6% to 6,828.60.

India's Sensex opened up less than 0.1% at 49,527.39. New Zealand and Jakarta declined while Singapore and Bangkok advanced.

Investors are swinging between optimism that coronavirus vaccines will allow business to return to normal and unease about rising infections in the United States and some European countries. That has prompted some to reimpose travel curbs.

In Japan, the Tankan index of business conditions for large manufacturers rose into positive territory for the first time since 2019.

That “supports our...