Asian markets end mostly higher on Thursday

Asian equity markets ended mostly higher on Thursday as oil prices rallied and the yen resumed its decline on expectations of further easing from the Bank of Japan next week. Most investors were reminded focused on the European Central Bank meeting due later in the day, although no change in policy is expected after unprecedented monetary stimulus at the March policy meeting. Japanese shares rose for a third day to hit a 2-1/2 month high, as oil prices bounced back and positive US housing data as well as expectations of further policy easing from the Bank of Japan (BoJ) weakened the yen to near the 110 level. However, China stocks closed lower on Thursday as afternoon profit-taking in finance and manufacturing shares offset early gains by commodity stocks in the morning following oil's sharp overnight rise.