Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed as stocks in Australia, Japan and South Korea struggled to hold onto earlier gains. Investors overnight returned to risky assets, confident that a massive U.S. stimulus package will soon be approved.
The Nikkei 225 edged ahead 8.62 points, or 1%, to 29,036.56. The Japanese yen changed hands at 108.80 per dollar, weakening from a previous level around 108.45.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng gained 134.29 points, or 0.5%, to 28,907.52.
Australian markets were in the red. The energy sector tumbled 3% as oil prices remained under pressure, while the heavily-weighted financials subindex went south 1.3%, and the materials index declined 2.5%,
The Australian dollar fell below the $0.77 mark, down some 0.32% to $0.7686.
In other markets
In China, the CSI 300 regrouped 32.61 points, or 0.7%, to 5,003.61.
In Taiwan, the Taiex jumped 58.58 points, or 0.4%, to 15,911.67.
In Korea, the Kospi index dropped 18 points, or 0.6%, to 2,958.12.
In Singapore, the Straits Times index let go of 28.81 points, or 0.9%, to 3,079.72
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 gained 106.75 points, or 0.9%, to 12,251.90.
In Australia, the ASX 200 lost 57.06 points, or 0.5%, to 6,771.16.
