Mainland China and Hong Kong stocks opened higher, lifted by the S&P 500 and Nasdaq finishing at fresh records.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index gained 258 points, or 1.06 percent, to open at 24,757.

On the mainland, the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index was up 0.08 percent at 3,519 while the Shenzhen Component Index opened 0.27 percent higher at 10,902.

Down Under, miners propelled Australian shares to an all-time high, driven by BHP Group's record quarterly copper production and higher iron ore prices, while upbeat US retail sales data for June further fuelled investor optimism.

The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 0.6 percent to scale a record peak of 8,693.

Investor sentiment was buoyed by data showing US retail sales beat expectations in June, signalling steady economic growth. (Agencies/Xinhua)