HONG KONG: Asian markets were mostly higher Wednesday, despite disappointing US retail data and eurozone finance ministers putting a Greek bailout on hold after Athens failed to meet conditions for the package.
The 17-nation bloc had demanded that Greece's finance minister come to Brussels with an extra 325 million euros ($425 million) in budget cuts and written pledges from politicians to implement EU-ordered austerity measures.
But Jean-Claude Juncker, head of the group of eurozone finance ministers, said Tuesday he did not have the "political assurances" from Greece to green light a bailout that Athens needs to avoid a devastating default.
Sydney inched up 0.30 percent in morning trade, Seoul gained 0.95 percent while Tokyo leapt 1.82 percent by the break after the Bank of Japan Tuesday said it would pump another $130 billion into the country's anaemic economy.
Hong Kong rose 1.78 percent while Shanghai shares climbed 0.71 percent. (AFP)
The 17-nation bloc had demanded that Greece's finance minister come to Brussels with an extra 325 million euros ($425 million) in budget cuts and written pledges from politicians to implement EU-ordered austerity measures.
But Jean-Claude Juncker, head of the group of eurozone finance ministers, said Tuesday he did not have the "political assurances" from Greece to green light a bailout that Athens needs to avoid a devastating default.
Sydney inched up 0.30 percent in morning trade, Seoul gained 0.95 percent while Tokyo leapt 1.82 percent by the break after the Bank of Japan Tuesday said it would pump another $130 billion into the country's anaemic economy.
Hong Kong rose 1.78 percent while Shanghai shares climbed 0.71 percent. (AFP)