News of a small percentage rate hike next month by the Federal Reserve (Fed) pushed equities to 2-month highs as the dollar headed in the opposite direction to near 3-month lows.
Echoing the Fed's stance was UBS chief economist Paul Donovan, saying the 'majority' of policy makers agreed that 'soon' interest rates would need to be slowed.
The Wall Street market was closed overnight with the United States (US) celebrating Thanksgiving but stocks in Europe seemed to continue their positive momentum with market confidence returning sharply.
However, Dow Jones futures rose 0.2% while S&P 500 futures added 0.3% and Nasdaq 100 futures added 0.5%.
MSCI's global gauge, which measures shares in 47 other countries, hit its highest level since May during mid-session European trading yesterday while German and British government bond yields fell to their lowest since September and October.
The opening of Asian trade this morning saw Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rise 0.15% while Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 0.32%, Topix fell 0.21% and South Korea's Kospi fell 0.22%.
Meanwhile, Bursa Malaysia and the value of the Ringgit enjoyed their best moment at the close yesterday with the KLCI index closing 4.04% higher while the value of the national currency strengthened against the dollar at 4.5080.
The strengthening took place as the Istana Negara Malaysia confirmed the appointment of Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the 10th Prime Minister.
Other currency moves saw the Euro up at $1.0447, nearing a 4-month high of $1.0481 while the dollar weakened 0.6% against the Japanese Yen at ¥138.70 and Sterling at $1.20.
