Asian Stock Market News - Asian Shares Jumped

Asia shares climb, dollar slips on Fed wagers

Asian shares jumped on Thursday and the dollar backed off highs on expectations the Federal Reserve would be confident enough of the U.S. economy to raise rates in December but would then proceed with great caution on further tightening.

The pick-up in risk sentiment combined with the dip in the dollar gave commodities a reprieve from recent selling, with oil and gold inching higher.

Financial spreadbetters expected opening gains of 0.45 percent for Britain's FTSE 100.FTSE, 0.89 percent for the German DAX .GDAXI and 0.88 percent for France's CAC 40.FCHI.

The Bank of Japan surprised no one at its regular policy meeting by maintaining the current pace of asset buying, though many still suspect it will have to ease again at some point to force inflation higher.

Japan's Nikkei .N225 firmed 1.07 percent, brushing aside a disappointing report on exports and imports.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS rose 1.98 percent, while Australia's main index AXJO jumped 2 percent for a third straight session of gains.

After a slow start, Chinese markets caught the better mood and the CSI300 index .CSI300of the largest listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen added 0.9 percent.

Sentiment was supported by the Dow .DJI which ended Wednesday with a gain of 1.43 percent, while the S&P 500 .SPX added 1.62 percent and the Nasdaq .IXIC 1.79 percent.