U.S. stock indices mostly closed higher on Tuesday as favorable consumer confidence data served as a sign that the U.S. economy got stronger.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 47.24 points, or 0.3%, to 16,049.13. The S&P 500 climbed 2.32, or 0.1%, to 1,884.09. The Nasdaq Composite Index lost 26.65, or 0.6%, to 4,517.32.

A report by the Conference Board showed that the U.S. consumer confidence index rose to 103.0 in September from 101.5 in August (revised from 101.3), while economists had expected a reading of 96.1 points. 25.1% of respondents said that there were enough jobs (vs 22.1% in the previous month).

Nevertheless stocks of mining companies declined further worldwide amid concerns about China's economy. On Thursday Markit Economics will publish its September report on economic activity in China. It will help investor to assess the situation.

This morning in Asia Hong Kong Hang Seng rose 1.42%, or 291.84, to 20,848.44. China Shanghai Composite Index advanced 0.70%, or 21.23 points, to 3,059.36. The Nikkei jumped 2.75%, or 465.93, to 17,396.77.

Asian stocks climbed following improvements in U.S. markets. However many analysts say that Nikkei's growth is just a correction after yesterday's decline, because recent economic data suggest weakness of the Japanese economy.

Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry reported that the country's industrial production fell by 0.5% m/m in August, while retail sales fell by 0.8% y/y in the same month.