TOKYO — Most Asian stock markets climbed in early trading Tuesday after approval of the U.S. health care overhaul bill sent Wall Street higher.
Drug and hospital companies led U.S. stocks higher Monday after lawmakers ended months of uncertainty late Sunday and passed a 10-year, $938 billion bill that will extend benefits to 32 million uninsured Americans.
Asian markets were also bolstered by rising commodities prices, which benefited resource-related shares. Oil prices added 57 cents to settle above $81 a barrel Monday.
Australia's main index rose 0.8 percent to 4,866.70, while South Korea's Kospi was 0.6 percent higher at 1,682.10. Singapore's benchmark rose 0.7 percent to 2,910.37.
Tokyo's Nikkei 225 index was the sole decliner, down 0.1 percent at 10,809.75.
The Dow Jones industrials rose 0.4 percent to 10,785.89, standing at its highest level since October 2008. (AP)