In Asia today, The Nikkei closed 98.83 points higher at 17,507.40, while the Hang Seng ended the morning up 183.56 points at 20,953.26, having hit a new all-time high.
New York's main oil contract, light sweet crude for March delivery, was down 19 cents at $54.85 a barrel from $55.04 in late US deals, after earlier having gained $2.46.