Asian equities traded in the US as American depositary receipts were sharply higher Thursday morning, surging 1.5% to 2 409,98 on the S&P Asia 50 ADR Index.

From North Asia, the gainers were led by financial services company CNFinance (CNF) and computer hardware maker Canaan (CAN), which climbed 5.6% and 6% respectively. They were followed by fintech firm Maase (MAAS) and mobile big data platform Aurora Mobile (JG), which increased 5% and 3.2% respectively.

The decliners from North Asia were led by semiconductor company Himax Technologies (HIMX) and biopharmaceutical company Zai Lab (ZLAB), which tumbled 15% and 12% respectively. They were followed by diagnostic imaging centers Concord Medical Services (CCM) and fintech firm LexinFintech (LX), which fell 4.3% and 2.7% respectively.

From South Asia, the gainers were led by IT Firm Wipro (WIT) and pharmaceutical company Dr. Reddy's Laboratories (RDY), which rose 2.1% and 1.9% respectively. They were followed by telecommunications operator PLDT (PHI) and tech conglomerate Sea (SE), which were up 0.4% and 1.2% respectively.

The only decliners from South Asia were led by telecommunications operator Telekomunikasi Indonesia (TLK) and IT firm Sify Technologies (SIFY), which were off 0.3% and 3.3% respectively.