Asian markets end firm; Europe opens higher

Markets across Asia ended on a firm note on Tuesday as investors found renewed hope ahead of the year-end. Also agency reports claimed, that the euro strengthened today on words of support from China. Yesterday, the euro had dipped to a record low of $1.3094.

Also reports of tension easing between the Korean neighbours lifted the sentiments at the Asian brouses.

Among the major markets - Hang Seng surged 355 points to 22,993. Nikkei rallied 154 points to 10,371. Shanghai Composite rose 51 points to 2904. Among other asian indices, the Seoul Composite was up 17 points at 2037, and the Taiwan Weighted index added 59 points to 8828. The Straits Times also ended marginally higher at 3140.

Meanwhile, the European markets too have started the day on a firm note mainly on account of strength in the euro. Energy shares were seen as lead gainers across Europe on the back of rising curde oil prices.

The FTSE 100 has advanced 41 points to 5933. The DAX had gained 46 points at 7065, and the CAC 40 has moved 21 points to 3906.