Asian shares track Wall Street to record highs but higher oil prices a risk

Asian shares tracked Wall Street higher on Thursday, led by record highs in Japan, South Korea ‌and Taiwan, as investors shrugged off higher oil prices from more shipping woes in the Gulf and focused on strong corporate earnings. Overnight, the S&P 500 climbed 1% and the Nasdaq jumped 1.6% to close at new record highs, helped by a strong start to earnings ​season that has eased concerns about the health of the U.S. consumer despite rising energy prices from ​the Iran war. That was despite oil prices gaining for a fourth straight day. Iran on ⁠Wednesday captured two container ships seeking to exit the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz, tightening its grip on the ​crucial waterway, as a fragile ceasefire hangs in the balance for now.