Asian stocks, USD rise on US economic optimism in early trade Wed

TOKYO: Asian stocks inched higher on Wednesday and the dollar held near an eight-week peak against a basket of currencies, spurred by upbeat US economic data and yet another record close for the S&P 500.

Riskier asset markets were underpinned overnight after the US reported an unexpected rise in durable goods orders in April and higher home prices for March. Services industries, which dominate the economy, also grew at a rapid clip in May.