Asia markets mostly up on stimulus hope but traders still on edge

HONG KONG (AFP): Equities mostly rose as investors struggled for traction in Asia on Wednesday (Jan 13) following a tepid lead from Wall Street, with hopes for another vast US virus relief package offset by political upheaval in Washington and surging virus cases.

Risk sentiment was given a vital boost Tuesday when several top Federal Reserve officials played down the chances the central bank will begin winding down its bond-buying easy-money policy anytime soon, despite expectations of higher inflation caused by a new stimulus.