MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Asian shares rose on Friday, tracking Wall Street’s record-setting run the previous after a mixed set of U.S. data bolstered expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates to boost the economy.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 set another intra-day high, rising for the third day and adding 0.9% to 44,781.09. Shares in semiconductor company Tokyo Electron, Sony Group and Fast Retailing were among the movers.

In Chinese markets, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index rose 1.5% to 26,484.65, lifted by a report that Beijing may order state banks to help cover unpaid bills of local governments. The Shanghai Composite index inched 0.2% to 3,877.38

In Seoul, the Kospi climbed 1.3% to 3,387.02 while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 added 0.7% to 8,867.90. India’s BSE Sensex rose 0.3% wh

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