Asian stock indices open mostly higher

Asian stock indices opened the third session of the week mixed with Japan in particular mixed, while China, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and South Korea rose, as Australia lost ground today.

Earlier Japanese data showed the monetary base up 16.5% in November, while consumer confidence improved barely to 33.7 from 33.6.

Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Philip Lowe stated earlier the Australian economy is improving with prospects much better than three months ago, while still expecting unemployment to hover around 7%. 

Earlier Australian data showed GDP up 3.3%, compared to a 7% drop in the second quarter. 

US Republicans and Democrats in Congress hope they can reach a compromise and a stimulus package worth $908 billion.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell called on Congress to increase financial help to small companies amid the spread of the coronavirus. 

Japan's TOPEX rose 0.25%, while Nikkei 225 fell 0.12% to 26,756. 

China's CSI 300 rose 0.15%, while Shanghai added 0.09% to 3,454. 

Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 0.04%, while South Korea's KOSPI climbed 1.30% to 2,668.

New Zealand's NZX 50 rose 0.11%, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 shed 0.11% to 6,581.