by Chris Becker
The ebullient lead from overnight risk markets has translated into solid gains across Asia today, with Japanese markets returning from a holiday playing catch up as well. The Shanghai Composite is about to close around 1.4% higher at 3044 points, while the Nikkei closed up 1.1% with Eurostoxx futures pointing to a 0.2% lift.
The ASX200 did well, recovering from yesterdays losses at first but sold off after lunch to close up only 0.4% higher at 5530 points as earnings season continues. Commodities were the best performers on the back of the higher oil price, with BHP up over 2% to $20.68 per share, once again trying to make a new high and get over resistance at the $21 per share level:
