Asian stock markets were mostly higher Tuesday as investors waited for an update on U.S. inflation that has been stronger than expected. The Shanghai Composite Index gained less than 0.1% to 3,717.26 and Nikkei 225 in Tokyo rose 0.5% to 30,603.57. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong sank less than 0.1% to 25,800.87. The Kospi in Seoul rose 1.1% to 3,162.42 while Sydney's S&P-ASX 200 advanced 0.1% to 7,434.20. India's Sensex opened 0.4% higher at 58,408.22. New Zealand and Bangkok retreated while Singapore and Jakarta gained, the Associated Press reported. In energy markets, benchmark U.S. crude gained 49 cents to $70.94 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract gained 73 cents on Monday to $70.45. Brent crude, used to price international oils, advanced 44 cents to $73.95 per barrel in London. It added 59 cents the previous session to $73.51 a barrel. The dollar rose to 110.07 yen from Monday's 110.02 yen. The euro advanced to $1.1814 from $1.1804.
