Asian shares advanced Thursday as investor sentiment brightened following U.S. President Donald Trump’s signing of a government funding bill, officially ending a 43-day federal shutdown that disrupted paychecks, delayed data releases, and strained public services across the country.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained 0.3% to 51,213.35, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index rose 0.3% to 27,009.65. The Shanghai Composite index climbed 0.7% to 4,029.50, buoyed by optimism ahead of new lending figures from China. South Korea’s Kospi edged 0.6% higher to 4,176.44 in afternoon trading, and Taiwan’s Taiex and India’s Sensex both recorded modest gains.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was the region’s outlier, slipping 0.5% to 8,753.40 after stronger-than-expected jobs data dampened hopes of a near-term rate cut.

“The shutdown had blocked not just spending, but also delayed a raft of federal economic data,” said Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management. “For markets, the only line that matters is simple: the lights are coming back on.”

In the U.S., major indexes closed near record highs on Wednesday. The S&P 500 inched up 0.1% to 6,850.92, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.7% to 48,254.82, setting its second consecutive record. The Nasdaq composite slipped 0.3% to 23,406.46.

Airline shares rebounded amid expectations of stronger travel demand following the shutdown’s end. Chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices surged 9% after CEO Lisa Su projected annual compounded revenue growth above 35% over the next three to five years, citing “accelerating AI momentum.”

Despite Big Tech’s continuing influence on Wall Street, analysts warn that valuations in the artificial intelligence sector are reaching levels reminiscent of the early 2000s dot-com bubble. Nvidia, which recently saw a four-year streak of stock price doubling, has faced a 4.6% monthly decline amid heightened volatility.

In energy markets, U.S. benchmark crude fell 9 cents to $58.40 a barrel, and Brent crude eased 8 cents to $62.37. The dollar strengthened slightly to 154.93 yen, while the euro edged down to $1.1592.

With the U.S. government’s reopening and data flow expected to resume, investors are refocusing on inflation and growth prospects heading into the year’s final quarter.

The AP contributed to this report.