Tech rally drives Tokyo, Taipei stocks to record highs; US dollar gains

By Kevin Buckland TOKYO (Reuters) -A rise in tech shares lifted Japan's Nikkei and Taiwan's TAIEX to all-time highs on Tuesday, though other markets in the region were lower following their own recent record rallies. Sentiment was saddled with some weakness in U.S. economic data, while a divergence in views from Federal Reserve officials clouded the outlook for a December interest rate cut. The U.S. dollar rose to a nearly nine-month peak versus the yen, as well as a three-month high against the euro. Australia's stock benchmark sagged to a one-month trough ahead of a central bank policy decision later in the day, with no rate cut expected and traders on the lookout for clues about whether last month's inflation shock has nixed any easing until the second quarter of next year. Overnight, t