Asian shares were mostly higher on optimism about a U.S.-China trade deal as regional markets opened the new year's first day of trading
News headlines today: Dec. 31, 2019TOKYO -- Global shares were mostly higher on optimism about a U.S.-China trade deal as regional markets opened the new year's first day of trading Thursday.
Australia's S&P ASX 200 gained 0.1% to 6,690.60, while South Korea's Kospi lost 1.0% to 2,175.17. Hong Kong's Hang Seng jumped 1.1% to 28,511.92, while the Shanghai Composite gained 1.2% to 3,085.20. Tokyo was still closed for the New Year's holiday. Adding to the optimism was China's central bank announcement Wednesday it will cut the amount of money banks will be required to have on hand from Jan. 6 in an effort to boost the slowing economy.
The Russell 2000 index picked up 4.32 points, or 0.3%, to 1,668.47. The index ended the year with a gain of 23.7%.
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