Shares started out the week on a strong footing after the Standard & Poors 500 hit a fresh high on Friday, with strong robust from Japan and China fueling optimism over economic recoveries even as coronavirus caseloads surpass earlier records.
Stock benchmarks rose Monday in Hong Kong, Tokyo and most other regional markets. Strong Japanese growth data added to confidence the economy is recovering, despite burgeoning waves of coronavirus cases in many parts of the world including Japan.
The world’s third largest economy grew at a 21% annual pace in the last quarter, the first quarter of growth in nearly a year.
Investors also were encouraged by Chinese economic data showing a continued recovery in October. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 jumped 1.6% to.