Futures pointed to a higher open for Asia Thursday, tracking gains in the U.S. where the Dow Jones industrial average closed above 21,000 on the back of President Donald Trump‘s speech to lawmakers.
Nikkei futures in Chicago traded at 19,645 and Osaka futures were at 19,590, climbing from the benchmark index’s last close at 19,393.54.
In Australia, the ASX 200 opened higher, trading up 0.9 percent in early trade with the four major banks gaining more than 1 percent each.
Shares of ANZ rose 1.51 percent, Commonwealth Bank of Australia was up 1.36 percent, Westpac added 1.12 percent and the National Australia Bank gained 1.5 percent.
“The U.S. president’s re-iteration of a commitment to a massive infrastructure spend and tax reform inspired gains,” said Michael McCarthy, chief market strategist at CMC Markets.
“The U.S. rally is all the more remarkable as interest rate markets responded to Fed speak of a potential lift at the March meeting.”
