Markets in Asia were largely in positive territory on Tuesday following a strong finish on Wall Street.
Investors continue to see last week’s US jobs figures as a sign the US Federal Reserve will not raise its rates until December at the earliest.
In Japan, the benchmark Nikkei 225 index was up 1.58% at 18,290.79 as it looks to its fifth consecutive day of rallies.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 benchmark was up 0.92% in morning trade at 5,197.80.
Investors shrugged off news that Australia’s trade deficit rose unexpectedly in August to 3.09bn Australian dollars ($2.18bn; £1.44bn) against forecasts for a deficit of A$2.55bn.
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) meets later on Tuesday, but market analyst Evan Lucas said the bank was unlikely to make any significant statements this week or announce a rate cut until December.
“We think the [bank’s] statement will be even duller than the rates release [today] as the RBA will not want to give anything away,” he said in a note.
“However, there is no escaping the fact that the market is building a case for a December cut, with the interbank market now pricing in a 60% chance that Australia will get a 25 basis point cut Christmas bonus on 1 December.”
