Asian markets open higher

Asian stock markets opened higher Monday encouraged by robust Wall Street gains before the weekend and record-high gold prices.

Japan's Nikkei 225 stock average climbed 1.1 percent to 9,576.97 in broad-based gains. South Korea's Kospi added 0.5 percent to 1,855.27, and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 jumped 1.4 percent to 4,667.4.

In New York on Friday, the Dow Jones industrial average rose 1.9 percent to close at 10,860.26, giving the market its fourth straight week of gains. A big increase in orders for manufactured goods allowed investors to shake off several days of doldrums.

Gold prices climbed to another record, briefly touching $1 300 an ounce.

Australian banks and miners benefited from Monday's optimism, with BHP Billiton Ltd. advancing 1.4 percent. In currencies, the dollar held steady at 84.32 yen. The euro was trading at $1.3463 from $1.3479 late Friday.