Asian markets climb after positive US jobs data (AP)

TOKYO – Stocks in Asia nudged higher in early trade Monday, after shares in the U.S. rose last week on the back of strong jobs data.

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 stock index was up 1.1 percent, or 96.79 points, at 9211.82. South Korea’s Kospi rose 0.4 percent, or 7.49 points, at 1787.39. Shares in Shanghai and Taiwan were higher, as were markets in New Zealand and Singapore.

Monday’s gains came after a strong performance across Asia and Europe on Friday, as concerns eased about the pace of recovery in the U.S.

Wall Street also put in a solid performance, after a government report on employment beat expectations and encouraged investors. Shares in the U.S. ended the week in the positive, the first time that has happened in a month.

The Dow Jones industrial average jumped 1.2 percent, or 127.83 points, to close at 10,447.93. The broader Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 1.3 percent, or 14.41 points, to 1,104.51.

Data from the U.S. Labor Department showed new jobs in August at private employers beat forecasts, though they were still below what economists say is a healthy level for the U.S. economy.

The early gains in September mark a stark turnaround from August trade, when shares fell on doubts about the global economic recovery.

In currencies, the dollar was nearly unchanged from late Friday at 84.36 yen versus 84.37 yen. The euro fell slightly, to $1.2878 from $1.2886.