Asian Stocks Rise on Cheaper Oil Ahead of Key US Inflation Reading

Asian stocks rose on Wednesday, September 30, for the first time in three sessions as cheaper oil eased pressure on investors waiting for a key US inflation reading.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index gained 0.4%, with Japan and South Korea leading the advance. The Nikkei 225 climbed 1.56% while the broader Topix added 0.91%. South Korea's Kospi rose 0.65%

However, Hang Seng futures slipped 0.3%, pointing to a softer start for Hong Kong.

The Japanese yen barely moved at 157.36 per dollar, and the offshore yuan was also little changed at 6.7073 per dollar.