U.S. Economic Optimism Boosts Asia’s Stocks

According to Andrew Pease of Russell Investment Group, “The U.S. economy is in better shape than Europe and that’s positive.” Pease is a Sydney-based senior investment strategist for the firm’s Asia-Pacific region. “Given the huge clouds hanging over the global markets from Europe and uncertainties in the Chinese property market, it’s very hard to be optimistic at this stage. Investors are also pricing in increased geopolitical risks.”

Still, as optimism towards the U.S. economy heightens, Asian stocks rise as well. Asia’s determined growth has also lessens concerns regarding the region’s real estate industry.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index increased 0.14 point, or 0.1%, to 110.54 in Tokyo. Japan’s Nikkei 225 Stock Average also gained 0.5%, and South Korea’s Kospi Index rose 0.9%.