Asian stock markets rose for second day Tuesday on hopes for progress toward a possible coronavirus vaccine that might allow the world to revive manufacturing, shopping and normal life. The Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.1% to 3,377.64 and the Nikkei 225 in Tokyo rose 0.3% to 24,903.44. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong advanced 0.7% to 25,202,58. The S&P-ASX 200 in Sydney advanced 0.7% to 6,375.60 while the Kospi in Seoul declined to 2,445.37. India's Sensex opened up 0.7% at 42,888.24. New Zealand and Southeast Asian markets also rose, AP reported. In energy markets, U.S. benchmark crude oil lost 55 cents to $39.74 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract soared $3.15 on Monday to $40.29. Brent crude, the price standard for international oils, shed 44 cents to $41.96 per barrel in London. It rose $2.95 the previous session to $42.40. The dollar declined to 104.96 yen from Monday's 105.45 yen. The euro advanced to $1.1835 from $1.1831.
