Asian markets firm; Nikkei ends up 202pts

Japan's Nikkei ended up 202 points at 16,844, reversing a five-day slide.

Meanwhile, Hang Seng was up 296 points (1.6%) at 18,960. The Shanghai index had surged 54 points (2%) to 2840.

While the Seoul Compositie index rallied 2% to 1403, the Straits Times and Taiwan Weighted indices were up 1.3% each at 3020 and 7450, respectively.

Updated at 0925 hrs

Asian markets have rebounded today following a heavy sell-off yesterday.
While the Nikkei has rallied 227 points to 16,869, the Hang Seng has gained 236 points at 18,901.

The Straits Times, Seoul Composite and Taiwan Weighted indices have surged over 1% each to 3023, 1395 and 7419, respectively.

The Shanghai Composite index is marginally (eight points) up at 2793.