Asian markets mostly up

HONG KONG: Asian shares mostly rose in the region's first full day of trade Wednesday as investors took a strong lead from Wall Street and Europe thanks to upbeat economic data on both sides of the Atlantic.

However, confidence remained fragile as Europe's debt woes continued to linger, with the euro under pressure and dollar also struggling against the safe-haven yen.

Of the major markets opening for the first time in 2012, Tokyo was 1.84 percent up by the break and Shanghai added 0.32 percent.

Sydney shot up 2.14 percent but Hong Kong slipped 0.37 percent and Seoul gave up 0.11 percent.

The euro slipped in early Asian trading after enjoying a strong rise Tuesday thanks to the economic data.

It bought $1.3022 and 99.85 yen in early Asian trade, from $1.3051 and 100.10 yen in New York late Tuesday.

The dollar stayed weak against the Japanese yen, trading at 76.75 yen compared with 76.68 yen in New York.

World crude prices inched lower in Asian trade after soaring overnight over tensions between major oil producer Iran and the United States.

New York's main oil contract, light sweet crude for delivery in February delivery, was down 10 cents at $102.86 per barrel and Brent North Sea crude for February shed six cents to $112.07.

Gold stood at $1,600.90 an ounce at 0200 GMT compared with $1,590.00 late Tuesday.