Asian stocks tracked Wall Street higher and bonds fell as traders firmed up bets that US labour market softness would spur the Federal Reserve to cut rates by at least a quarter point next week.

Gold caught its breath after Tuesday's record high, while the dollar ticked higher, with two crucial days of US inflation figures, starting later on Wednesday, set to give the final data to inform the Fed's September 17 decision.

Crude oil stayed elevated after Israel's attack on Hamas leadership in Qatar.

Japan's Nikkei added 0.3 per cent, South Korea's KOSPI jumped 1.3 per cent and Taiwan's equity benchmark climbed one per cent in early trade on Wednesday.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 0.5 per cent, while mainland Chinese blue chips rose 0.2 per cent.

Overnight, the S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite

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