Tech Earnings Spur Stocks Higher, As We Await Payrolls Tonight

Asia equities are higher today, supported by moves higher overnight in US stocks. Earnings out post US close for some US tech Giants have helped push futures higher, with the Nasdaq up 1.00%, while Eminis trade 0.55% higher. There has been some selling, as indices are off highs from earlier as traders look to book profits ahead of US payrolls later tonight.

• Japan equities indices are all higher today, largely in part from moves higher in the US overnight. Still some trouble in Japan's banking sector as Aozora fell as much as 18% this morning on losses on their US property exposure. Nikkei currently 0.80% higher, while the Topix trade 0.55% higher.
• Australian Equities move higher after yesterday's fall, PPI data for 4Q came out earlier at 4.1%, up from 3.8%. Currently the ASX200 is trading 1.40% higher led by Real Estate and tech stocks.
• South Korea is up 2.20% today with $820m in equity inflows today after expectations of a regulatory change will boost their valuations, after the Finance Minister yesterday spoke about resolving the "Korea Discount", bumper earnings from Naver this morning coupled with strong earnings from US giants Amazon and Meta earlier spurred a moved higher in tech names. South Korean CPI was also out before, showing inflation had eased more than expected coming in at 2.8% vs 2.9% exp.
• Taiwan equities move higher largely being led by tech names, Taiex up 0.30%
• In India the benchmarks have opened higher, the Nifty up over 1% at this stage. Positive reception around yesterday's interim budget aiding sentiment. Lower fiscal borrowing is expected to aid the private sector
• Elsewhere in SEA, there is little in way of Data, markets are moving higher in unison mostly on the back of higher US stocks.