[MARKET ANALYSIS] Asia-Pac equities follow on from the gains seen stateside, with many indices reaching new ATHs

Asia-Pac stocks follow on from Monday’s gains, with equities entirely in the green.
ASX 200 started the session on the front foot, +0.4%, before extending on gains and currently trading just shy of session highs at 8835. With spot XAU trading near ATHs, this has aided sectors such as metals and mining (2.0%) to continue Monday’s gains.
Nikkei 225 returned from its long weekend with a gap higher, resulting in the index opening with gains as much as 3.7% and forming new ATHs. This comes amid a weaker JPY and growing speculation of PM Takaichi dissolving parliament. Japanese media noted that the LDP was looking to capitalise on Takaichi's high approval ratings.
KOSPI opened Tuesday’s trade at ATHs and oscillated at highs before peaking at 4681 and slightly paring back, but remains comfortably in the green.
Hang Seng and Shanghai Comp. opened in line with the broader sentiment, with the former surging higher, aided by gains in Gigadevice (3986 HK) +53%. The latter is the laggard across Asia-Pacific equities, trading with slight gains of 0.2%.
US equity futures continue to pullback from ATHs, with losses led by big-tech (NQ -0.4%) while S&P 500 futures return to 7000.
European equity futures are indicative of a positive open with the Euro Stoxx 50 future +0.3% after cash closed +0.3 on Monday.