Asian shares rose on Wednesday to their highest level in more than seven months after a jump in US consumer confidence reinforced expectations the global economy has hit a bottom, even if recovery appears fragile.

The MSCI index of Asian stocks outside Japan gained close to 2.5 per cent to reach its highest level since last October when markets were tumbling in the wake of the collapse of Lehman Brothers.

Japan's Nikkei average rose 1.5 per cent and was trading just below its 2009 high struck earlier in May.

The safe-haven yen fell, while currencies seen as riskier bets, such as the Australian dollar, advanced. In another sign of improving investor confidence, crude prices pushed to a six-month high above $US62 a barrel.

The bolder mood from investors follows a couple of days of caution after North Korea sparked alarm by conducting a nuclear test and launching short-range missiles, and week long fears that the United States could lose its top-notch AAA rating.

"We're seeing most risk proxies firmer,'' said Su-Lin Ong, a senior economist at RBC Capital Markets in Sydney. "It's not to suggest that there's an 'onward upwards' recovery in the US and the globe but it is consistent with the idea that the worst is behind us.''

Elsewhere in Asia, shares in Hong Kong jumped more than 4 per cent and Taiwan rose more than 2 per cent. The main indexes in South Korea and Singapore advanced well over 1 per cent.
 
US consumer confidence soared in May to its highest level in eight months, even though house prices fell at a record pace in the first quarter, data showed on Tuesday.
 
Consumer spending accounts for roughly two-thirds of the US economy, so is a positive signal for global trade including for Asian exporters.

Japanese exports rose in April for the second month running, data showed on Wednesday, providing another sign that the slump in global trade may have bottomed.

Still, Germany reported earlier this week a record contraction in its economy in the first quarter, reminding investors of the damage done by the financial crisis.

The more upbeat sentiment comes after North Korea rattled investors this week by carrying out a nuclear test, although analysts expect market impact to be short-lived.

Concerns the United States could lose its AAA rating as it ramps up borrowing to feed a widening budget deficit has also weighed on markets since last week.

However, the sale of $US40 billion in two-year US Treasury notes on Tuesday was met by strong interest, especially from overseas, suggesting there are willing buyers of US debt.

Still, traders said longer maturities might not be met by such strong demand. Total issuance for the week is slated to total $US101 billion, matching a record set earlier this year. Two more offerings this week will be for five-year and seven-year debt.

Reuters