Asian markets mostly advance after the S&P 500 hits record high

Asian markets are mostly higher after the U.S. benchmark S&P 500 closed at another record high following a report that the U.S. economy grew at a 4.3% annual rate in July to September. Big gains for tech stocks pushed the S&P 500 up 0.5% on Tuesday, even though most stocks in the index fell. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.2% and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.6%. The U.S. government’s first estimate of growth in the third quarter showed inflation remained high. A separate report said consumer confidence faded further in December. Markets in the U.S. will close early Wednesday for Christmas Eve and remain closed for Christmas on Thursday.