STOCKS | Hang Seng Opens Up 0.87%; Seoul Leads Regional Gains After Softer U.S. Inflation

Asian shares mostly opened higher on Wednesday, led by Seoul, as tech stocks rebounded after a softer-than-expected U.S. inflation print eased concerns about a possible interest rate hike this month, according to RTHK. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 210 points, or 0.87%, to open at 24,551. Mainland China markets opened mixed, with the Shanghai Composite Index down 0.09% at 3,963, while the Shenzhen Component Index gained 0.31% to 14,970. The ChiNext Index rose 0.74% to 3,879. Sentiment was also supported by strong Wall Street earnings and by U.S. President Donald Trump's U-turn on threats to impose levies on cargo through the Strait of Hormuz. In Seoul, the Kospi jumped as much as 7% at one point, helped by a 10% rally in chipmaker SK Hynix, which has fallen about 30% since hitting a record high last month. Tokyo, Sydney and Singapore also posted gains.