Major indexes in Asia made slight gains on Wednesday as the Australian dollar fell to its lowest levels in three months after inflation missed expectations. The Nikkei 225 rose 0.08 percent as the dollar held onto overnight gains. The benchmark index is rising high after notching its 16th straight winning session on Tuesday, its longest ever win streak. Across the Korean Strait, the Kospi tacked on 0.26 percent as markets digested the release of quarterly earnings. The index had set a record high in the last session on expectations for strong corporate earnings. Down Under, the S&P/ASX 200 advanced 0.11 percent, as miners led gains on the broader index. The energy and materials sub-indexes were up 1.02 percent and 1.29 percent respectively, although those gains were partially offset by losses in the telecommunications and consumer staples sub-indexes. Meanwhile, the Australian dollar fell to its lowest levels since July after third-quarter inflation released Wednesday missed expectations. The consumer price index for the third quarter increased by 1.8 percent, below estimates of 2 percent, Reuters said. The Australian currency traded at $0.7720 after falling as low as $0.7713 in the session. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 0.73 percent and mainland markets were slightly firmer: The Shanghai Composite added 0.12 percent and Shenzhen Composite rose 0.435 percent. China's new leadership line-up was unveiled on Wednesday, with only Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang the only two members staying on in the seven-man Politburo Standing Committee. The country's 19th Party Congress concluded on Tuesday. Of note, Xi's name was officially enshrined in the party's constitution on the last day of the event. Elsewhere, earnings were in focus in South Korean markets, with several notable companies releasing quarterly reports on Wednesday. Shares of LG Display popped after reporting that third-quarter profit had risen 81 percent compared to one year ago. Operating profit for the period stood at 586 billion won ($519 million). LG Display shares were up 0.17 percent after rising more than 3.4 percent earlier in the session. Stateside, tax reform was in the news. House Republicans will introduce a tax bill on Nov. 1, a source told CNBC. The plan's release will follow an expected House vote on a budget measure passed by the Senate last Thursday. Stocks on Wall Street closed higher following the release of several strong quarterly corporate reports. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 0.72 percent, or 167.80 points, to close at a record 23,441.76. Other major indexes made moderate gains. President Donald Trump's choice for the next Federal Reserve chair was also in focus. Trump on Tuesday attempted to get the views of Senate Republicans at a lunch meeting. While many reportedly did not participate in the impromptu poll, South Carolina Sen. Stanford University economist John Taylor seemed to have scored highly, according to one report. The dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of currencies, was little changed. The dollar index stood at 93.978 at 12:55 p.m. HK/SIN. The greenback was mostly flat against the Japanese currency, last fetching 113.91 yen compared to a session high of 113.97. In corporate news, the president of Taiwan-listed China Airlines said the company intended to order a minimum of 20 Airbus or Boeing narrow body aircraft by year-end, Reuters reported. Shares of the airline were up 0.82 percent. Meanwhile, Indian software company Infosys on Tuesday reported that second-quarter profit increased by 3.3 percent, topping expectations. Profit for the quarter ending Sept. 30 rose 3.4 percent compared to the year before to 37.26 billion rupees ($573.03 million). Analysts' average estimate been for 35.23 billion rupees, Thomson Reuters data said. Infosys stock was up 1.28 percent. In currencies, the euro was a touch softer ahead of the European Central Bank's Thursday meeting. Investors are expecting details from the central bank on tapering in its quantitative easing program. The common currency traded at $1.1757 at 12:57 p.m. HK/SIN. "Whatever the outcome, the ECB is likely to sound a very cautious tone stressing that inflation is below target, the need for ongoing monetary accommodation and the flexibility it retains in adding to the planned QE purchases if necessary," ANZ Research said in a morning note. The pound was mostly flat, trading near its lowest levels in about two weeks. Reuters attributed the decline to a lack of certainty over the Bank of England's interest rates decision at its next meeting. Sterling last traded at $1.3131 after falling as low as $1.3118 in the session. On the energy front, oil prices were steady after rising more than one percent overnight. Saudi Arabia's energy minister had said cutting oil inventories to their five-year average was a priority, Reuters reported. Brent crude rose 0.1 percent to trade at $58.39 a barrel and U.S. crude futures lost 0.1 percent to trade at $52.42. Source: CNBC
