Asian stocks mostly higher, Nikkei 225 at monthly tops

Most major Asian indices advance this Thursday, with the traders cheering the recent oil price-rally, while six-day losing spree for the yen also adds to the upbeat momentum around the Japanese stocks.

The Japanese benchmark, Nikkei 225 hit fresh monthly highs amid higher exports stocks, which tracked the overnight gains in the USD/JPY pair.

While the Australian markets benefited from better-than expected Aus trade data, while Australian bond yields rose to their highest level since June as Treasuries held declines amid after strong US services data almost confirmed the case for a Fed rate hike this year.

Meanwhile, Japan’s Nikkei 225 now rises +0.57% to 16,913, the Australian S&P/ASX 200 gains +0.33% to 5470. Hong Kong markets trade +0.43% higher around 24k mark. The mainland China markets will remain closed for the balance of this week on account of annual National Day Golden Week.