In Asia today, the Nikkei closed up 221.85 points at 17,504.33, while the Hang Seng ended the morning down 59.51 points at 20,675.54.
New York Mercantile Exchange's main oil futures contract, light sweet crude for delivery in March, was up 41 cents at $60.12 a barrel from $59.71 in late trading in the US overnight.
Early broker notes:
AMEC UPGRADED TO 'BUY' VS 'HOLD' AT CITIGROUP
RECKITT BENCKISER UPGRADED TO 'ADD' VS 'HOLD' AT WESTLB
GLAXOSMITHKLINE UPGRADED TO 'ADD' VS 'HOLD' AT WESTLB
VODAFONE CUT TO 'NEUTRAL' VS 'OUTPERFORM' AT CREDIT SUISSE
SN. downgraded to neutral from buy - UBS
RNK upgraded to buy from neutral - UBS
ULVR downgraded to hold from buy - Rabo Securities
IMT downgraded to neutral from outperform - Credit Suisse