Asia-Pacific markets are expected to strengthen on Tuesday (21/1), as investors await further clarity on policies that US President Donald Trump will announce after his inauguration.

In Japan, the benchmark Nikkei 225 index started the day up 0.52%, while the Topix rose 0.33%.

Meanwhile, South Korea's Kospi started trading 0.97% higher, while the Kosdaq gained 0.62%.

Australia's S&P/ASX 200 led gains in Asia, up 1.2%. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index were last trading at 20,278, indicating a stronger open compared with the HSI's close of 19,925.81.

The index hit its highest level since Dec. 31 during intraday trading on Monday on gains in consumer cyclical and healthcare companies, data from LSEG showed.

Several central banks in Asia meet later this week. Malaysia's central bank is expected to keep its policy rate steady at 3% on Wednesday. The Bank of Japan holds its next policy meeting from Jan. 23 to Jan. 24 BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda has signaled an intention to raise rates. The Monetary Authority of Singapore meets on Friday.

In the U.S., markets were closed for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

U.S. stock futures were higher after Trump's inauguration and his promise of a new "golden age" for the U.S. He also issued a series of executive orders, notably not including tariffs.

Futures tied to the S&P 500 rose 0.5%, while Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.6%. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures rose 221 points, or 0.5%.(AL)

Source: CNBC