With the first of the major Asian indices closed we have the Australian markets mostly higher (the mid cap 50 was the only Austalian index lower today -0.59%) with the flagship S&P/ASX200 closing up 0.7% or 22.1 pts at 3,188.50. Asian stocks were mostly up today on the back of hopes for China and its stimulus. Energy stocks were the big winners today throughout the globe after the overnight decline in US crude inventories with materials and industrials also benefitting from the hopes for China.