Asian markets firm; Nikkei ends flat

Most of the Asian markets were firm in mid-noon trades today.

The Nikkei ended almost unchanged at 15,901.

The Hang Seng has surged 291 points to 22,020. The Shanghai Composite index has moved up 32 points to 4987.

The Straits Times index rallied 48 points to 3276, and the Seoul Composite index advanced 23 points to 1760.

The Taiwan Weigthed index has gained 14 points at 8493.