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Asia markets rose sharply as investors took comfort from the U.S. Federal Reserve’s decision to leave its benchmark interest rates unchanged, while parsing inflation and trade data from across the region.
The Fed on Wednesday again held rates steady amid signs of economic growth, while labor market conditions and inflation remain above the central bank’s target. The decision also included an upgrade to the Fed’s general assessment of the economy.
Data from South Korea showed consumer prices accelerated for the third straight month in October, with the CPI rising 3.8% year-on-year. Economists polled by Reuters were expecting an increase of 3.6%.
Australia’s September goods trade surplus narrowed to its lowest in 32 months, according to official data.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained 1.15%. The Topix added 0.76%, hitting fresh three week highs.
South Korea’s Kospi gained 1.99%, while the Kosdaq rose 3.65%.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index gained 1.43% at open, while China’s CSI 300 opened up 0.4%.
In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 rose 1.20%, edging close to its highest level in nearly two weeks.
U.S. markets rebounded from a dismal past three months on Wednesday, after the Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged for a second consecutive time — leading investors to think the central bank would stay put for the rest of the year.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.67%. The S&P 500 climbed 1.05%, briefly crossing its 200-day moving average. The Nasdaq Composite added 1.64%.
— CNBC’s Sarah Min and Pia Singh contributed to this report