Asian markets on Thursday tracked a Wall Street rally fuelled by healthy economic and earnings data, while traders kept a wary eye on Chinese military drills around Taiwan.

Oil extended the previous day's sell-off, that came on the back of fresh signs of weakening demand in the United States. That followed major producers announcing a small increase in output.

New York's three main indexes surged after a report on the crucial US services sector showed surprise improvement, soothing worries about a possible recession in the world's top economy.

That came as several companies -- including Electronic Arts, Starbucks and Moderna -- posted strong earnings, extending a broadly positive reporting season in the face of surging inflation and rising interest rates.

All eyes are now on the release of US jobs data on Friday, which will provide the latest snapshot of the economy and could help guide the Federal Reserve in its debate on monetary policy.

Markets have swung this week after a number of Fed officials lined up to suggest there were still some big rate hikes likely and talk of cuts next year might be overdone.

That came after comments last week from bank chief Jerome Powell indicated the policy board could start easing its tightening campaign.

"Following last week's Fed meeting that opened up the possibility of a slower hiking pace, markets are still running 'risk-on' despite the recent push back from Fed officials," said SPI Asset Management's Stephen Innes.

"But for stock investors, lower oil prices are a pleasure to behold as not only did the US 10-year yields drop but sliding oil prices also downshifted inflation expectations, supporting that slower hiking pace thesis."

- 'Preparing for war' -

Both main oil contracts fell again -- and sit at six-month lows -- as a spike in US inventories showed demand waning, while figures showed Americans driving less than summer 2022 when travel was smashed by Covid-19.

Crude has now given up all the gains seen in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, though the 100,000 barrel output increase by OPEC+ was brushed off by investors as too little to make an impact.

The mood in Asia was also a lot more settled after the upheaval of this week's visit to Taiwan by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, which sparked outrage in China with warnings of stern military and economic responses.

Beijing has suspended a limited amount of cross-strait imports and exports, and on Thursday began its largest-ever military exercises encircling Taiwan that are expected to last for days.

Soon after, Taiwan's defence ministry said it was "preparing for war without seeking war".

While the show of force by Beijing is a cause for concern for traders, with the island effectively cut off, there was a sense of relief that China's response did not go further.

Hong Kong led gains, adding more than two percent, while there were also advances in Shanghai, Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore, Manila, Jakarta and Wellington.

However, Taipei fell again on worries that the Chinese manoeuvres would hit shipping lanes and flights into Taiwan.

Mumbai also dipped, while Sydney was flat.

London was lower as investors awaited the Bank of England's policy decision, which many expect will result in the biggest hike since it was given independence in 1997 as inflation sits at a four-decade high.

"Whatever they do, the (UK) economy will slow more than it already has," said CMC Markets analyst Michael Hewson.

"But inflation is becoming a much bigger threat in the longer term, and given current trends it's unrealistic to expect it to fall back to two percent much before 2024."

Paris and Frankfurt both rose.

Pelosi's trip managed to further strain already fraught China-US relations, and markets strategist Louis Navellier said: "It will be interesting if China retaliates against any US companies or restricts trade in any manner."

- Key figures at around 0810 GMT -

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 0.7 percent at 27,932.20 (close)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 2.1 percent at 20,174.04 (close)

Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.8 percent at 3,189.04 (close)

London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.1 percent at 7,440.71

Dollar/yen: UP at 134.18 yen from 133.92 yen Wednesday

Euro/dollar: UP at $1.0177 from $1.0172

Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2165 from $1.2149

Euro/pound: DOWN at 83.63 pence from 83.71 pence

West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.3 percent at $90.36 per barrel

Brent North Sea crude: DOWN 0.5 percent at $96.28 per barrel

New York - Dow: UP 1.3 percent at 32,812.50 (close)

dan/leg

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Most Asian markets rise but Taiwan fears keep confidence in check
Hong Kong (AFP) Aug 3, 2022
Asian markets mostly rose Wednesday after the previous day's reverse, though traders remained on edge after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, which has further strained China-US ties and raised concerns about the long-term impact on the global outlook. The highest profile trip to the island in 25 years by a US politician was met with condemnation from Beijing, which warned of serious economic and military consequences. Taiwan said more than 20 Chinese military aircraft had flown into ... read more