Asian stocks jump cheered by Wall Street after economic data

TOKYO (AP) — Asian stocks jumped Wednesday after encouraging signs of strength in the U.S. economy sent shares higher on Wall Street.

A weak yen added to investor optimism, sending Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 up 4 percent in morning trading to 16,734.81.

Separately, a survey showed some signs of life in the beaten-down U.S. manufacturing sector.

The Nasdaq composite index, which is heavily weighted with technology companies, made its biggest gain since August, adding 131.65 points, or 2.9 percent, to 4,689.60.