BANGKOK (AP) - Asian stock markets rose today buoyed by more positive employment data out of the U.S. and expectations that central banks in the U.S. and Europe may take steps to support their economies.
The U.S. Labor Department said employers posted the most job openings in four years in June, a positive sign that hiring in the world's largest economy may pick up. That follows Friday's report that U.S. employers in July added the most jobs in five months, far more than economists were expecting.
The positive jobs news out of the U.S. added to optimism that investors have been feeling for much of the past few weeks, largely on hopes that the European Central Bank will play a more pivotal role in Europe's debt crisis.
Benchmark crude oil fell but remained above $93 a barrel.
The dollar gained against the euro but fell against the yen.
First Coast News