Sompo Japan Insurance

A cautious start is expected in Asian markets Tuesday while Wall Street took a breather after recent gains and closed slightly lower overnight. Asian stocks rallied on Monday, led by resources sector which was helped by higher commodities prices. Australian market posted a seventh consecutive day of gains yesterday. Japan's Nikkei 225 surged 2.1 per cent, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index advanced nearly 2 per cent, South Korea's Kospi was up 1.56 per cent and China's Shanghai Composite gained 0.7 per cent.

Most Asian markets rallied with resources shares significantly higher on Monday. Japan's Nikkei jumped 2.7 per cent while exporters were encouraged by stronger US dollar against yen. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index gained 2.4 per cent. The Shanghai bourse reopened for the first day after the Lunar New Year holiday, Shanghai Composite dropped 0.5 per cent as the market was still impacted by the People's Bank of China's credit-tightening measures unveiled before the long holiday.