Asian markets end in green; Hang Seng up 139pts

The Hang Seng pared most of its gains and finally settled 139 points higher at 18,059. The Nikkei added 40 points to 9,826.

The Shanghai Composite was up marginally at 2,896.

The Taiwan Weighted Index soared 110 points (2%) to 6,341.

The Seoul Composite advanced 16 points (1%) to 1,400 and the Straits Times was up eight points at 2,281.
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Updated at 1110 Hrs:

The Asian markets have extended their gains further.

The Hang Seng has soared 425 points (2.5%) to 18,373. The Nikkei has advanced 90 points (1%) to 9,876.

The Shanghai Composite has gained 31 points (1%) at 2,911.

The Seoul Composite is up 13 points at 1,396.

The Taiwan Weighted Index has added 98 points (1.5%) at 6,329 and the Straits Times is up 25 points (1%) at 2,298.
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Updated at 0816 Hrs:

Asian markets are up this morning.

Drugmakers and defensive shares boosted the Nikkei 10 points to 9,796. The Hang Seng has surged 228 points (1.2%) to 18,148.

The Shanghai Composite has gained 24 points (1%) at 2,904. The Straits Times has added 11 points to 2,284. The Seoul Composite is flat at 1,386.

However, the Taiwan Weighted has slipped 16 points to 6,215.