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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Asian markets up ahead of ECB move | Asian markets up ahead of ECB move |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Asian markets headed higher on Thursday as investors awaited the outcome of the European Central Bank's (ECB) monetary policy meeting. | Asian markets headed higher on Thursday as investors awaited the outcome of the European Central Bank's (ECB) monetary policy meeting. |
| The ECB is expected to announce a programme of bond purchases, known as quantitative easing, to try to stimulate the eurozone economy. | The ECB is expected to announce a programme of bond purchases, known as quantitative easing, to try to stimulate the eurozone economy. |
| In Japan, the benchmark Nikkei 225 closed up 0.3% at 17,329.02. | In Japan, the benchmark Nikkei 225 closed up 0.3% at 17,329.02. |
| The yen weakened against the dollar to 118.17, compared with 117.96 the previous day. | The yen weakened against the dollar to 118.17, compared with 117.96 the previous day. |
| Mainland Chinese shares continued to rise, building on Wednesday's surge when the market gained 4.7%. The Shanghai Composite index closed 0.6% higher at 3,343.34. | |
| In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index rose 0.7% to 24,522.63. | |
| Shares in Australia were also higher, with the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 finishing up 0.5% at 5,419.9. | Shares in Australia were also higher, with the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 finishing up 0.5% at 5,419.9. |
| Investor confidence in Australia was boosted by news that sales of new homes rose for a second straight month in November. | Investor confidence in Australia was boosted by news that sales of new homes rose for a second straight month in November. |
| The Housing Industry Association survey showed that sales of new homes climbed 2.2% to a seven-month peak. | The Housing Industry Association survey showed that sales of new homes climbed 2.2% to a seven-month peak. |
| South Korean shares ended flat with the Kospi index at 1,920.82. | South Korean shares ended flat with the Kospi index at 1,920.82. |
| Shares of Hyundai Motors fell 2% after the carmaker reported that its net profit in the fourth quarter had fallen 22% from a year ago. | Shares of Hyundai Motors fell 2% after the carmaker reported that its net profit in the fourth quarter had fallen 22% from a year ago. |