HK, regional markets get a bump from Wall St gains

Asian stocks rose on Tuesday as a drop in oil prices after US President Donald Trump said he planned to hold off on new military strikes against Iran lifted sentiment ahead of US inflation data that could sway the near-term interest rate outlook. In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng Index opened up 172 points, or 0.7 percent, at 24,621. The China enterprises index rose 38 points, or 0.47 percent, to 8,298 while the tech index climbed 31 points, or 0.78 percent, to 4,072. Two chip-sector firms debuted in Hong Kong, with AI chip designer Suzhou Denglin Technology falling into loss territory at the start of trading and semiconductor packager and tester Jiangsu Xinde Semiconductor Technology making a much stronger debut. Across the border, the Shanghai Composite Index opened up 21 points, or 0.58 percent, at 3,682. The Shenzhen Component Index put on 167 points, or 1.51 percent, to open at 11,313 while the ChiNext Index rose 59 points, or 2.44 percent, to 2,518. In Tokyo, the Nikkei opened 596 points, or 1.02 percent, higher at 59,372 and was 1,725 points or almost three percent higher at one stage before noon. In Seoul, the Kospi surged 228 points, or 4.55 percent, to open at 5,247 amid gains...