Asian markets cheered by EU progress

Asian stock markets were mostly higher today after signs of progress in debt-plagued Europe – a successful bond sale in Italy and the naming of a new leader in Greece.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 0.4% to 19,035.94 and South Korea’s Kopsi added 1.2% to 1,835.34. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.2% at 4,251.70, and benchmarks in Singapore, Taiwan and New Zealand also rose.