Asian stock markets close with gains

By Ovunc Kutlu

ANKARA (AA) - Major stock exchanges in Asia closed Tuesday with gains, with markets in Hong Kong and India performing the best.

The Asia Dow, which includes blue-chip companies in the region, was up 49.15 points, or 1.5%, to 3,329 at 1005 GMT.

Tokyo's Nikkei 225 stock exchange increased 112 points, or 0.42%, to 26,629 points.

The Hang Seng, the benchmark for blue-chip stocks trading on the Hong Kong stock exchange, was the best performer of the day jumping 652 points, or 3.27%, to 20,602.

China's Shanghai Stock Exchange increased by almost 20 points, or 0.65%, to close at 3,093 points.

The Indian Sensex benchmark soared 1,344 points, or 2.54%, to end the day at 54,318 points.

The Singapore index also rose by 10 points, or 0.34%, to finish at 3,201 points.