TOKYO – Asian shares rose Tuesday although investors were braced for sobering news about how the coronavirus pandemic has hurt global corporate earnings and the Chinese economy, the driver of growth for the region.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 added 3.1% to finish at 19,638.81. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 gained 1.9% to 5,488.10, while South Korea's Kospi jumped 1.7% to 1,857.31.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng edged up 0.8% to 24,483.12, and the Shanghai Composite added 1.4% to 2,823.19. Data released Tuesday by China showed that its trade improved in March but was below last year’s levels, and forecasters warned Chinese exporters face another slump as the coronavirus pandemic depresses global demand.