The Nikkei has pushed higher above the 10,000 mark today for the first time since July 1st and touching highs not seen since June 12th. Brokerage firms are doing well on the back of reports that the big three will likely all turn a profit for Q1. Nomura Holdings is up 2.7%, Daiwa Securities +2.6%. Electronics maker Hitachi is up 2.8% on the back of reports that it plans to turn five listed groups into wholly owned units by spending 300 Billion Yen on tender offers. Traders are staying positive on hopes for good corporate earnings out this week.
In Sydney the ASX200 has continued its move higher also. Banks are all up over 1% and Macquarie Bank up 4.5%. The miners RIO and BHP are also up, 3.3% and 0.5% respectively.
Financial and retail stocks gained in Seoul, Shinhan Financial up 2%, Lotte Shopping up 2.5% and Hyundai Dept Store up 3% on the back of strong consumer sentiment numbers, the highest reading in 7 years.
Investors are watching to see if stocks will remain upbeat through US economic data and Treasury auctions this week.
