Asian shares up on Fed\\\'s optimism

Asian stocks tiptoed higher on Thursday and the dollar consolidated recent gains after the US Federal Reserve painted a relatively bright picture of the economy, but a deepening sell-off in commodities kept gains in check. Japan's Nikkei .N225 up 1.1 per cent, Australian shares adding 0.8 per cent. But South Korean shares .KS11 fell 0.7 per cent. A dollar-denominated index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS rose 0.2 per cent after Chinese stocks had a quiet opening. Commodities extended their decline, with copper CMCU3, considered a bellwether for global economic activity, trading near a six-year low at $5,322 a tonne. The euro fell 0.1 per cent to $1.0955 EUR=. The dollar rose about 0.1 per cent in Asian trade to 124.1 yen JPY=, hitting its highest level so far this week, according to a news agency.

-SRS