Asian Markets Advance

Most major Asian markets rose overnight, with South Korean shares climbing on news of faster-than-expected economic growth last quarter, while Chinese stocks were led higher by a rise in resource companies.

But Japanese stocks declined as news of another major vehicle recall hit shares of Toyota Motor, while Eisai tumbled after suffering a setback in the development program of a drug to treat sepsis.

The Shanghai Composite rose 1.2% to 2708.81, South Korea's Kospi added 1.1% to 2110.46, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index edged up 0.2% to 23843.24, its first gain in five sessions. Singapore's Straits Times Index gained 1.2% to 3220.78. The benchmark indexes in Thailand and Indonesia each rose 2%. Japan's Nikkei Stock Average, however, fell 0.6% to 10401.90.

Australia's markets were shut for Australia Day, and India's markets were closed for Republic Day.