06:23 AM EST, 11/05/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Asian stock markets gained ground Tuesday on strength in global tech shares, and on prospects that China's huge economy is beginning to respond to government stimulus measures.

Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo finished in the green, as did most other regional exchanges. Sydney fell back after the Reserve Bank of Australia held its key policy rate unchanged, rather than delivering a cut.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 opened higher after a three-day weekend, and finished up 1.1% on strength in tech and financial-sector issues.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 421.33 to 38,474.90 as gaining issues outnumbered losers 145 to 78.

Leading the upside was financial giant Nomura, up 10.6% after reporting earnings, while musical instrument-maker Yamaha declined 13.2%, also after posting quarterly results.

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index opened higher and rose to the close, finishing up 2.1% after a strong China services-sector report, and strength in property and tech issues.

The broad gauge Hang Seng rose 439.45 to 21,006.97, as gaining issues outnumbered losers 77 to five. The Hang Seng TECH Index gained 3.6% on the day, while the Mainland Properties Index rose 2.8%.

Leading the upside was smartphone components-maker Sunny Optical Technology, gaining 14.3%, while CK Infrastructure declined 2.6%.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite rose 2.3% to 3,386.99.

In economic news, the S&P Global Caixin China PMI services index rose to 52.0 in October from 50.3 in September, possibly reflecting gains in retailing and tourism following Beijing stimulus efforts in recent weeks.

On the other regional exchanges, the S. Korean KOSPI rose 0.5%; the Taiwan TWSE inclined 0.6%; the Australian ASX 200 declined 0.4%; the Singapore Straits Times Index rose 0.3%, and the Thai Set inclined 1.3%. In late trading in Mumbai, the Sensex was up 0.9%.