Asia-Pac markets gain on optimism

THERE was much cheer for traders during Wednesday's session, thanks to a confluence of factors that supported risk appetite ahead of Thursday's European Central Bank's rate decision.

Singapore's Straits Times Index (STI) moved ahead from the opening bell, eventually settling at 3,204.52, gaining 48.81 points or 1.6 per cent.

It was much of the same elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific as Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea posted gains.