Among the key regional markets,

Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.12% to 20,437.48 and it is up 17.12% year-to-date;

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 0.92% to 28,249.86 and YTD it is up 19.68%;

Shanghai’s Composite Index surged 2.02% to close at 4,910.90 and YTD it is up 51.82%;

Taiwan’s Taiex rose 0.25% to close at 9,669.41 and YTD it is up 3.89%;

South Korea’s Kospi fell 0.12% to 2,43.50 and YTD it is up 11.9%;

Singapore’s Straits Times Index fell 0.05% to 3,459.25 and YTD is up 2.8%;

Jakarta’s Composite Index rose 0.62% to 5,320.90 and YTD is it up 1.8%.