Sharemarkets gained in New Zealand, Japan and Australia on Tuesday, with Japan's soaring nearly 5% on news that the government would use public funds to help companies through the crisis.
The New Zealand sharemarket notched up a small gain on a quiet day, with the benchmark NZX-50 index closing up 30.11 points, or 1.11%, at 2735.86. Turnover was just $36 million.
Of the top three stocks, Telecom gained 7c to $2.58, Contact Energy 8c to $6.74 and Fletcher Building 11c to $5.65.
In currency markets, at 5.20pm on Tuesday, the Kiwi dollar was trading at 52.91 US cents, 79.78 Australian, 37.65 pence, 47.32 yen and .3994 euro. The TWI stood at 52.83.
Sale abandoned: APN shares fall
At the close in Australia, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 101.3 points, or 3.03%, at 3444.0, while the broader All Ordinaries index lifted 92 points, or 2.79%, to 3392.3.
APN shares fell in Australia after 39% owner Independent News & Media PLC said it had abandoned the sale of its shareholding in the company.
The Tokyo Stock Exchange's benchmark Nikkei-225 index rose 378.93 points to close at a one-week high of 8061.07.
The broader Topix index of all-first section shares gained 37.21 points or 4.84% to finish at 805.49.
Markets in Hong Kong, mainland China, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan were closed for the Lunar New Year holidays.
