Asian-Pacific markets started the week higher, with investors weighing China’s weekend press briefing ahead of key U.S. earnings results.
Over the weekend, China’s Minister of Finance noted that the central government has further space to increase the deficit level.
By 11:45 AEDT (12:45 am GMT) the ASX 200 and KOSPI 200 added 0.3% and 1% respectively, while the Nikkei 225 remained closed for a public holiday.
In the U.S., major benchmark averages finished Friday's session at record highs.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average lifted 1%, the S&P 500 added 0.6% and the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.3%
Sentiment was boosted as major financial behemoths JPMorgan and Wells Fargo exceeded earnings expectations, lifting 4.4% and 5.6%, respectively.
Meanwhile, Uber gained 10.8%, Fastenal lifted 9.8%, while Tesla shed 8.8%.
Among commodities, Brent crude lost $1.12 or 1.4% to $77.92 per barrel, while gold eased from record highs, losing $9.6 or 0.4%, to 6,647.4.
On Friday, The Chinese Shanghai Composite Index fell 2.5% to 3,217.7, while the Hang Seng Index rose 3% to 21,252.
In Japan, the Nikkei Stock Average added 0.6% to 39,605.8.
Meanwhile, India’s BSE SENSEX eased 0.3% to 81,381.4.
In Europe, the FTSE 100 gained 0.2% to 8,253.7, the DAX lifted 0.8% to 19,373.9 and the CAC 40 gained 0.8% to 7,577.9.
