Summary Markets mostly sank on Monday after China said its economy expanded 7.7 percent last year.
HONG KONG (AFP) - Asia s markets rose on Tuesday, with Japan s Nikkei index the standout performer thanks to a weaker yen, as investors moved in for cheaper stocks following the previous day s sell-off.
With US markets closed on Monday for a public holiday, investors had few catalysts to drive buying a day after China released data showing the world s number two economy maintained its slowest growth in more than a decade.
Tokyo jumped 1.10 percent, Sydney added 0.13 percent, Hong Kong rose 0.44 percent and Shanghai was up 0.24 percent while Seoul gained 0.13 percent.
Markets mostly sank on Monday after China said its economy -- a key driver of regional and global growth -- expanded 7.7 percent last year, the same as 2012, which was the slowest since 1999.
Gross domestic product expansion for the October-December quarter also slowed to 7.7 percent from 7.8 percent in the previous three months.
The Nikkei enjoyed a pick-up ahead of a two-day Bank of Japan policy meeting that ends on Wednesday, with some speculation that it will announce fresh measures in its stimulus programme.
The yen eased against the dollar and euro, proving support for exporters.
In early trade the dollar was at 104.52 yen against 104.10 yen in London late Monday, while the euro fetched 141.51 yen compared with 141.19 yen. The euro was also at $1.3542 from $1.3563.
CLSA equity strategist Nicholas Smith said there were rumours the BoJ might make an announcement on Wednesday regarding its asset-purchasing programme.
However, he told Dow Jones Newswires that "any additional easing measures aren t likely until around the time of the April consumption-tax hike which is when they would be the most effective".
In China, the Shanghai market was lifted after the central People s Bank of China said it offered a financial injection to some big lenders to avert a cash crunch as investors gear up for a flood of new listings that many fear could lead to a share glut.
In oil trade US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for delivery in February was down 50 cents at $93.87 a barrel and Brent crude for March eased one cent to $106.34.
Gold fetched $1,251.00 at 0210 GMT compared with $1,254.61 late Monday.
