Asian markets rise as Ukraine tensions ease
Asian markets are rising on the back of fresh diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Ukraine and Russia.
Although there has been no resolution to the crisis, investors took heart from US secretary of state John Kerry's remarks that talks between Washington and Moscow would continue in the coming days.
EU leaders yesterday agreed a larger than expected €11bn (£9bn) potential financial bailout package for Ukraine at an emergency Paris summit. Investors will be keeping a close eye on the European Central Bank to see whether it will go down the road of further easing to support the Eurozone.
The Nikkei is up 1.8 per cent while the Hong Kong Hang Seng index has so far made gains of 0.5 per cent. South Korea's Kospi is up a modest 0.1 per cent while the Tokyo Stock Exchange Tokyo Price Index is enjoying a stronger rise of 1.3 per cent. The Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite Index is up 0.1 per cent.