Stocks in Asia Pacific jumped on Tuesday after American biotech firm Novavax said Monday it started the first human study of its experimental coronavirus vaccine.
Japanese shares led gains among major markets in the region, with the Nikkei 225 up 2.55% to close at 21,271.17 as shares of index heavyweight and conglomerate Softbank Group jumped 4.3%.
The Topix index also ended its trading day 2.17% higher at 1,534.73. The moves came after Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced Monday that the state of emergency will be lifted in the last five of the country’s 47 prefactures, according to state broadcaster NHK.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index also saw robust gains, rising 2.08%, as of its final hour of trading. Mainland Chinese stocks advanced on the day, with the Shanghai composite up 1.01% to about 2,846.55 while the Shenzhen composite soared 2.21% to around 1,789.52.
South Korea’s Kospi also gained 1.76% to close at 2,029.78 as shares of LG Chem surged more than 6%. Meanwhile, shares in Australia jumped, with the S&P/ASX 200 up 2.93% to finish its trading day at 5,780.
