TOKYO – Asian shares were mostly higher on Thursday on optimism U.S. stimulus may be coming after all, as President Donald Trump appeared to reverse his earlier decision to halt talks on another economic rescue effort.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 added nearly 1.0% to 23,651.55 in afternoon trading. South Korea's Kospi gained 0.4% to 2,396.57.
Australia's S&P/ASX 200 jumped 1.1% to 6,102.20. Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 0.7% to 24,075.66. Trading was closed in Shanghai for a holiday.
Shares rose in India and Taiwan but fell in Singapore. Riki Ogawa of Mizuho Bank in Singapore noted that considerable uncertainty remains, given the “rollercoaster” swings in investor mood in response to signs from Trump about the stimulus. “The on-and-off nature.