Asian stock markets rebound

Nikkei jumps 6.4 per cent as investors snap up bargains after days of heavy losses.

asian markets
Despite the rebound many investors remain nervous over the global economic outlook [AFP]

Nonetheless the Nikkei remains far from recovery, having lost nearly 40 per cent of its value in the past month amid continuing widespread gloom over the global economic outlook.

Analysts say confidence remains razor-thin, with expectations of more market upheaval in the days and weeks ahead.

IN VIDEO

undefined
Japanese retirees hit by global economic crisis

In Hong Kong on Tuesday the benchmark Hang Seng index also saw a rebound, jumping a massive 14.4 per cent after nose-diving more than 12 per cent on Monday.

Tuesday’s close was the biggest percentage gain in 11 years.

Bargain-hunters snapped up stocks in companies like banking giant HSBC, which had slumped on Monday to levels last seen during the outbreak of the deadly Sars virus in 2003.

HSBC stock rallied by 20 per cent – its biggest one-day gain in 20 years.

South Korea’s Kospi index also recovered after early losses, ending the day up 5.6 per cent.

Domestic investors were given a boost following the biggest rate cut ever by the central bank on Monday, snapping up shares in Samsung Electronics which rose rose 5.8 per cent, and Hyundai Motors which jumped 12.6 per cent.

Expectations that the US Federal Reserve is set to slash interest rates later on Tuesday helped give Asian investors some glimmers of optimism through what has been several weeks of gloom.

The Asian rebound also gave a lift to European markets, most of which opened Tuesday’s trade in the black.

Source: News Agencies