Tokyo — Asian shares rose to a fresh two-and-a-half-month high on Thursday, supported by sound economic fundamentals, while the expectation the European Central Bank (ECB) could start to wind down its stimulus boosted the euro and global bond yields. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan advanced 0.4% to extend its gains, hitting a two-and-a-half-month high for a second consecutive day. Japan’s Nikkei average rose 0.8%. Notable gainers include the technology-heavy Taiwanese stocks, with Taiwan’s main index nearing the 27-year high of 11,270 hit on January 23. The index has rallied 4.25% since last Wednesday, boosted by the rally in tech stocks and the Nasdaq. The euro held near a two-week high while Germany’s benchmark 10-year bond hit its own two-week high of 0.486% growing conviction the European Central Bank (ECB) would announce as early as next week its intention to end a drawn-out stimulus programme by year-end. The 10-year US treasury yield hit a fresh one...
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