Asian markets mostly up on hopes for US fiscal deal

Asian markets mostly rose Monday on optimism that US lawmakers will be able to agree a deal to avert a fiscal cliff that would tip the world’s biggest economy back into recession.

The Nikkei in Tokyo enjoyed a third straight rally due to the yen’s weakness after the front-runner to become Japan’s next prime minister said he would push for unlimited monetary easing if his party won next month’s general election.

Tokyo climbed 1.42 percent, Hong Kong added 0.43 percent, Sydney climbed 0.21 percent and Seoul was up 0.90 percent but Shanghai eased 0.20 percent.

via Business feed http://www.scmp.com/business/money/market-snapshot/article/1085985/asian-markets-mostly-hopes-us-fiscal-deal