HK Shares Rise As Asian Markets Follow Wall Street

Hong Kong shares jumped more than 1 percent on Tuesday, in line with most Asian markets following a strong lead from Wall Street, while traders await Donald Trump's decision on the Iran nuclear deal.

The Hang Seng Index rose 1.4 percent, to close at 30,402.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite Index added 0.8 percent, to 3,161 and the Shenzhen Composite Index climbed 0.8 percent, to 1,836.

Tokyo finished 0.2 percent higher and Sydney added 0.2 percent.

Singapore added 0.3 percent and Taipei put on 0.8 percent with Manila and Wellington also in positive territory. But Seoul ended down 0.5 percent.

Oil prices slipped in Asia from three-and-a-half-year highs as investors cautiously await Trump's Iran nuclear decision later in the day.

On currency markets, the US dollar held around its 2018 highs against the euro following a recent run of below-par data out of the eurozone that has fed speculation the European Central Bank may have to put on the back burner plans to wind in its crisis-era stimulus.

However, traders remain on edge over the China-US trade spat, as the latest data from Beijing shows trade deficit between the countries widening. (AFP)