Asian stocks gained early on Monday (June 20) as rising expectations of Britain voting to remain in the European Union lifted risk sentiment and the pound jumped against its peers.
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei climbed 1.5 percent, helped by a retreat in the recently bullish yen.
The benchmark Nikkei gained 239.4 points to 15839.06 and the broader Topix rose 18.98 points to 1269.81.
The safe-haven yen, which had soared to a 22-month high of 103.555 per dollar last week on Brexit woes, pulled back.
The dollar was up 0.5 percent at 104.650 yen. The euro rose 0.5 percent to $1.1336.
Seoul shares opened higher as rising expectations of Britain voting to remain in the European Union lifted risk sentiment.
The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) was up 1.2 percent at 1,976.58 points.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index opened up 1.3 percent at 20,425.06, but dipped in early trade.
Global markets, buffeted this month by Brexit woes, had a breather at end of last week from a three-day suspension in British campaigning following the fatal attack on lawmaker Jo Cox, a strong supporter of Britain staying in the EU.
(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2016
