Gains in Japan were tempered as the dollar weakened against the yen, weighing on exporters and offsetting strength in financial shares. Oil prices rose above $71, taking a cue from stronger stock markets.
Australia's benchmark index stayed in the green after the country's central bank unexpectedly raised its key interest rate _ the first major economy to increase the cost of borrowing amid signs its recovery from the global slump is gathering momentum.
Wall Street broke out of a two week funk Monday after the Institute of Supply Management said its services index rose to 50.9 in September from 48.4 in August. A reading above 50 shows activity is expanding.
The index, which tracks more than 80 percent of the country's economic activity, including hospitals, retailers, financial services companies and truckers, hadn't signaled growth since August 2008.
U.S. stocks were also boosted by a Goldman Sachs report that talked up the prospects of banks as investors scrounged for any positive news after being jolted by last week's dire report on climbing unemployment.
Early in European trading, Britain's FTSE 100 rose 0.9 percent, Germany's DAX gained 0.7 percent and France's CAC 40 advanced 0.6 percent. Stock futures pointed to modest gains Tuesday on Wall Street. Dow futures were up 24, or 0.3 percent, to 9,570.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 stock average rose 17.31, or 0.2 percent, to 9,691.80 and Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 382.46, or 1.9 percent, to 20,811.53. South Korea's Kospi was down 0.5 percent at 1,598.44.
Elsewhere, Singapore's market jumped 1.3 percent and Indonesia's index was up 2 percent. China's markets are closed for a weeklong holiday and reopen Friday.
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