Asian stocks mixed, with some cheered by overseas rally
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 gained 0.3 percent to finish at 19,037.31, but trading was muted on the last trading day of the year ahead of the New Year's holiday.
Technology and health care companies led a broad rally in U.S. stocks on Tuesday.
The Conference Board said its consumer confidence index increased from the previous month, reflecting positive views on the economy and job market.
Separately, a key gauge of home values indicated that U.S. home prices climbed 5.5 percent in October from a year earlier.
THE QUOTE: "This year's Santa rally is doing what many of its predecessors have done," said Ric Spooner, chief market analyst at CMC Markets.