SYDNEY
Australian share prices closed up 1.4 percent amid hopes for another US rate cut despite National Australia Bank losing two percent on concerns about its takeover of a US bank, dealers said.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index closed up 88.6 points at 6,533.1. It was up 202.9 points or 3.2 percent on last Friday's close.
The broader All Ordinaries index closed up 1.3 percent or 86.4 points at 6,593.6.
Some 2.3 billion shares worth about A$11.3 billion (US$10 billion) changed hands.
National Australia Bank fell A$0.78 or two percent to 38.30 amid investor concerns about its takeover of South Dakota-based agricultural bank Great Western Bank.
SINGAPORE
Singapore share prices closed 1.24 percent higher on increased hopes the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates, dealers said.
The Straits Times Index added 43.05 points to 3,521.27. Volume totalled 1.99 billion shares worth S$3.05 billion (US2.12 billion).
"The Fed statements seem a bit more friendly towards a rate cut," said Khiem Do, a strategist at Baring Asset Management.
Banks closed higher led by DBS Group which gained S$0.30 to S$20.10. Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp was S$O.O5 up at S$8.50 and United Overseas Bank was S$0.30 firmer at S$19.80.
KUALA LUMPUR
Malaysian share prices closed 1.7 percent higher after Sime Darby, the world's largest palm oil grower, was relisted, dealers said.
Sentiment was also bolstered by hopes of a US rate cut, they said.
The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index was up 22.66 points at 1,396.98.
Volume was 970.32 million shares valued at 2.6 billion ringgit (US$774 million).
Sime Darby closed up 2.10 ringgit at 11 ringgit. It traded to a high of 12.10 ringgit in early deals, up 36 percent from its reference price of 8.90 ringgit.
Telekom Malaysia was down 20 sen at 10.80 ringgit, while national power company Tenaga added 20 sen to 9.25 ringgit.
JAKARTA
Indonesian share prices closed 0.4 percent lower as investors opted to lock in gains in late trade ahead of the release of last month's consumer inflation data next week, dealers said.
The Jakarta Stock Exchange composite index closed down 11.49 points at 2,688.33 on volume of 6.53 billion shares worth 6.92 trillion rupiah (US$739 million).
The key index hit an all-time intra-day high of 2,737.81 yesterday, before closing at 2,699.82.
MUMBAI
Indian share prices closed up 1.89 percent, buoyed by hopes that the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates at its next monetary policy meeting, dealers said.
The benchmark 30-share Sensex index closed up 359.93 points or 1.89 percent at 19,363.19.
The market welcomed India's economic growth figures, which showed the economy grew by 8.9 percent in the second quarter to September, a rate of expansion second only to China's.
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