Most markets rise as US rate cut bets temper Japan bond unease

Stocks mostly rose Tuesday following the previous day's stutter as more weak data helped solidify US interest rate cut optimism and tempered nervousness over rising Japanese bond yields.

Expectations that the Federal Reserve will lower borrowing costs have provided a boon to markets in the past few weeks and saw them recover early November's losses that had been stoked by fears of a tech bubble.

Bets on the central bank easing monetary policy for a third successive meeting have been rising since a number of decision-makers said protecting jobs was a bigger concern for them than keeping a lid on elevated inflation.

Those comments have been compounded by figures showing the economy -- particularly the labour market -- continues to soften while inflation appears to have stabilised for now.