Stocks in Asia-Pacific were mixed on Tuesday following overnight gains on Wall Street that sent the major averages to record highs.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 popped 714.12 points, or 2.7%, to 27,568.15. a level not seen since August 1990. Shares of index heavyweight Fast Retailing and conglomerate Softbank Group gained 4.5% each.
The Japanese yen traded at 103.65 per dollar after weakening yesterday from around the 103.4 level against the greenback.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index leaped 257.86 points, or 1%, to 26,568.49.
The gains stateside came after U.S. President Donald Trump signed a $900-billion coronavirus relief package into law, with the measure including a direct payment of $600 to most Americans. Trump had previously demanded a $2,000 direct payment days before the signing. The House of Representatives voted Monday to increase the second round of federal direct payments to $2,000, leaving it up to the GOP-controlled Senate.
The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.76, having seen an earlier low of $0.7575.
In other markets
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 docked 21.47 points, or 0.4%, to 5,042.64
In Korea, the Kospi index removed 11.91 points, or 0.4%, to 2,848.14
In Taiwan, the Taiex Index subtracted 11.02 points, or 0.1%, to 14,472.05.
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index moved up eight points, or 0.3%, to 2,848.14.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 rocketed 208.83 points, or 1.6%, to 13,246.77.
In Australia, the ASX 200 improved 35.52 points, or 0.5%, to 6,700.29.