Japanese Nikkei rises on Greek Optimism; most Asian markets holiday

24 Jan 2012 Evaluate

Only a handful of markets remained open for trade in Asia, where Japanese Nikkei average rose to its highest closing level in nearly three months on Tuesday on expectations that a Greek debt swap deal will still be reached even after European finance ministers rejected an offer by Greece’s private creditors. Moreover, the Bank of Japan kept interest rates on hold at near-zero on Tuesday, noting that activity in the Japanese economy has been more or less flat due to a slowdown in overseas economies and appreciation of the yen.

Activity was thin, however, with many Asian markets still closed for the Lunar New Year holiday. Despite the thin trading, some notable movers emerged, with chip maker Elpida Memory Inc. jumping 4.6% after a Yomiuri Shimbun report that the firm is set to agree on an alliance with US company -- Micron Technology and Taiwan’s -- Nanya Technology Corp. Shares of Toyota Motor gained 2.7%. The auto maker announced late Monday that it would cut 350 jobs at a plant in Australia, in part due to the high Australian dollar.

Nikkei 225 was up by 19.43 points or 0.22% to 8,785.33 and Jakarta Composite was up 8.07 points or 0.20% to 3,994.58.

Stock markets in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan remained closed on Tuesday in observance of Lunar New Year holiday.

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