Asian stocks rise amid US optimism

Asian stock markets rose today, registering optimism after negotiations late last week between President Barack Obama and leaders of Congress raised hopes the US would avoid its “fiscal cliff” before the end-of-the-year deadline.

Mr Obama met with the top leaders of the House and Senate on Friday to discuss ways to avert a series of automatic tax increases and spending cuts scheduled to take effect January 1 in the absence of intervening action.