Asian Shares Extend Record Run; Oil Stocks And Financials Lead Surge

Market Overview - Asian stocks continued a global record run, with investors focusing on upcoming U.S. economic data despite geopolitical tensions [1] - U.S. manufacturing activity contracted in December, the most significant decline since 2024, increasing expectations for Federal Reserve policy easing [1] Commodity Prices - Gold prices rose to over $4,460 an ounce, while oil prices eased after a previous increase of $1 per barrel due to concerns about crude flows from Venezuela [2] - The U.S. military operation in Venezuela has sparked optimism for future investments in the U.S. oil industry [5] Regional Stock Performance - China's Shanghai Composite index increased by 1.50% to 4,083.67, marking its highest level in over a decade [2] - Hong Kong's Hang Seng index surged by 1.38% to 26,710.45, driven by gains in the financial sector [2] - Japan's Nikkei average rose by 1.32% to 52,518.08, led by oil-related stocks and precision tools maker Disco Corp., which increased by 6.1% [3] - Seoul's Kospi average jumped by 1.52% to 4,525.48, supported by gains in semiconductors, brokerages, and shipbuilders [4] - New Zealand's S&P/NZX-50 index rose by 0.56% to 13,663.58, nearing a six-week high [5] U.S. Stock Market - U.S. stocks experienced gains, with the Dow increasing by 1.2% to a new record closing high, the S&P 500 gaining 0.6%, and the Nasdaq Composite advancing by 0.7% [6]