Asian markets jump after US consumer confidence reaches six-year high
Asian markets are reacting to positively to data from the US showing consumer confidence at a six year high and house prices rising in January.
Investors are still hoping the Chinese government may introduce stimulus measures to boost its sliding economy.
Markets were buoyed by easing tensions over Ukraine as Western leaders continued to show little stomach for serious action to penalise or undermine Vladimir Putin's regime.
The first meeting between Ukraine's and Russia's foreign ministers was taken as a signal that there is no imminent prospect of armed conflict.
The Nikkei is up 0.2 per cent, while the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index is up over one per cent. The Tokyo Stock Exchange Tokyo Price Index is enjoying gains of 0.4 per cent but the Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite has fallen 0.3 per cent. South Korea's Kospi is up 1.1 per cent.