NIKKEI 225

Asian markets rose in the week amid the hope that the policymakers in Japan and China would announce stimulus measures.

The yen hit its lowest level in more than two years Friday, helping lift Japanese stocks to a 21-month high.

Asian stock markets mostly advanced Wednesday with Japanese shares extending their gains after rally in the previous session on expectations that incoming Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will pursue drastic stimulus measures to boost the economy.

The yen hit a 20-month low against the dollar Tuesday as Japan's incoming prime minister stepped up pressure on the Bank of Japan to ease monetary policy, while the dollar was buoyed by uncertainty about U.S. budget talks.

Most Asian markets fell by week's end as investor sentiment turned negative due to Congressional leaders' lack of progress on reaching an agreement to avert the looming fiscal cliff.

Asian stock markets advanced Wednesday on hopes that the U.S. lawmakers will soon arrive at a consensus to avoid the "fiscal cliff” and the Japanese Central Bank will add to economic stimulus buoyed sentiment.

Asian stock markets advanced Tuesday as sentiment turned positive overnight following indications that negotiations over the U.S. fiscal cliff are progressing.

Asian markets were mixed Monday as investors remained cautious, as an agreement between the U.S. Congressional leaders and President Barack Obama in adopting measures to overcome the looming fiscal cliff remains elusive.

Most of the Asian markets rose in the week as investor sentiment was lifted on hopes that the policymakers in Japan would soon announce stimulus measures to boost the growth of the world’s third-largest economy.

Asian stock markets mostly advanced Friday after a private survey showed a pickup in Chinese manufacturing activity in December.

Japan's Nikkei average rose above 9,700 Thursday to reach an eight-month high as investor sentiment was lifted on hopes that policymakers will soon announce stimulus measures to boost growth of the world’s third-largest economy.

Asian stock markets were mixed Thursday after U.S. President Barack Obama made a positive comment on the fiscal cliff Wednesday.

Asian shares dipped Tuesday after U.S. manufacturing activity hit a three-year low in November.

Asian stock markets mostly advanced Monday after the official data showed that Chinese manufacturing activity expanded for the second straight month in November.

Asian shares edged up Thursday, mirroring U.S. and European stock rises overnight, as sentiment improved after U.S. House Speaker John Boehner said he was "optimistic" on reaching a budget deal.

The euro hit a one-month high Tuesday and Asian shares climbed for a seventh straight day after a Greek debt relief deal was announced.

The yen fell to a 7-1/2-month low against the dollar Thursday, lifting Japan's Nikkei share average to a six-month high, on expectations of aggressive policy action under an expected new government.

Asian stock markets were mixed Wednesday as renewed concerns over euro zone crisis and U.S. fiscal cliff fears weighed on the sentiment.

Asian stock markets mostly advanced Tuesday as sentiment turned positive overnight on hopes that U.S. lawmakers will soon arrive at a consensus to avoid the "fiscal cliff.”

Most of the Asian markets rose Monday as investor sentiment turned positive amid hopes that the U.S. congressional leaders will come to an agreement with President Barack Obama in taking the measures to overcome the lingering fiscal cliff.

Asian markets fell in the week with the investor sentiment turning negative following the concerns about the U.S. facing a “fiscal cliff” consisting of tax increases and spending cuts at the beginning of next year.