BANGKOK (AP) - Asian stock markets rose Thursday, boosted by hopes that Europe is preparing to take action to tackle the region's financial crisis and comments from a Fed policymaker about possible support for the U.S. economy.
Benchmarks across Asia rose, including Japan's Nikkei 225 index, up 1.1 percent and Hong Kong's Hang Seng, which added 1.4 percent.
South Korea's Kospi index jumped 2.5 percent and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 added 1.3 percent. Benchmarks in mainland China, India, New Zealand and Indonesia also rose.
Benchmark oil for July delivery was up 31 cents to $85.33 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract rose 73 cents to settle at $85.02 in New York on Wednesday.
First Coast News