Stock market today: Asian shares rise after Wall Street sets another record [Video]

TOKYO – Asian shares were mostly higher Friday, after U.S. stocks climbed to records, with easier interest rates beckoning on the horizon.

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 added 0.2% to finish at 39,688.94. Sydney’s S&P/ASX 200 jumped 1.1% to 7,847.00. South Korea’s Kospi surged 1.1% to 2,677.22. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 1.3% to 16,441.68, while the Shanghai Composite recouped early losses to be 0.5% higher at 3,043.36.

Although economic data from the region, such as China, remained relatively positive, investors stayed cautious. Higher interest rates could be in store, for instance, in Japan, once the economy picks up.

“This was driven by reports of (Bank of Japan) officials being more confident of wage growth as labor cash earnings outperformed,” said Tan Boon Heng at Mizuho Bank in Singapore.

On Wall Street, the S&P 500 rallied 1% to set its 16th all-time high so far this year. It’s been on a terrific …