Regional shares were mostly higher in early trading on Thursday, mirroring an overnight rally in US semiconductor stocks though investor optimism was kept in check by higher oil prices following renewed US-Iran hostilities.

In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng Index opened down 18 points, or 0.07 percent, at 24,181.

The tech index was up 13 points, or nearly 0.3 percent, at 4,744 while the China Enterprises Index edged down less than one point to 8,083.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite Index opened up six points, or 0.17 percent, at 3,977.

The Shenzhen Component Index was up 98 points, or 0.66 percent, at 15,038 while the ChiNext Index was 46 points, or 1.22 percent, higher at 3,892.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei opened up 227 points, or 0.34 percent, at 67,046 before gaining higher ground to be 1,275 points, or 1.91 percent, higher at 68,094 at one stage before noon.

In Seoul, the Kospi opened up 239 points, or 3.31 percent, at 7,486 but its gains were trimmed to put the benchmark 26 points, or 0.37 percent, higher at 7,273 at one stage before lunch. (Reuters & Xinhua)


Edited by Aaron Tam