Tuesday, 07 May 2013 13:26
Posted by Parvez Jabri
HONG KONG: Asian markets were mixed Tuesday, with Tokyo soaring to its highest close in almost five years after a four-day holiday weekend but with other major bourses following Wall Street's uncertain lead.Japan's Nikkei added 3.55 percent, or 486.20 points, to 14,180.24 -- its best finish since June 2008 -- as investors caught up with several positive reports from last week, including favourable US jobs data and a European Central Bank (ECB) interest rate cut.Seoul fell 0.36 percent, or 7.13 points, to close at 1,954.35 and Sydney lost 0.24 percent, or 12.5 points, to end at 5,143.7 after Australia's central bank cut interest rates to a record low of 2.75 percent.Hong Kong rose 0.58 percent, or 132 points, to 23,047.09 while Shanghai edged up 0.20 percent as investors opted to stay on the sidelines before the release of economic figures later this week.The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index increased 4.40 points ...