Asian Stocks Rise as Strong Earnings Bolster Wall Street; Nikkei Up 1.3%, Kospi Gains 4%

Asian equities advanced and bonds stabilized at the start of Wednesday trading, following Wall Street's gains as early corporate earnings signaled strong global profits. MSCI's broadest Asia-Pacific index outside Japan rose 1.5%, led by a 4% gain in Korean shares, while Japan's Nikkei 225 climbed 1.3%. S&P 500 e-mini futures added 0.3%. With 13% of S&P 500 companies having reported, 86% have beaten earnings estimates, according to LSEG data. Wall Street closed mildly positive overnight, with the S&P 500 up 0.3% as oil prices and Treasury yields eased. French stocks fell amid concerns over government plans to curb unrest, with the 10-year OAT yield up 2.7 basis points at 4.94%. Brent crude rose 1.1% to $110.03 a barrel. The yen weakened 0.1% to 158.33 per dollar after September exports rose 16.7%, missing estimates. The US 10-year Treasury yield was up 1 basis point at 5.123%.