On the first trading day of 2009 Asian Markets kick off higher

The first trading day of the new year started with the Asian Markets opening higher and closing with healthy gains. Despite signs of further deterioration for local economies in Asia optismism was the prevailing factor.
Europe opened with moderate gains between 1% and 2%.
More clarity about the current situation and the reaction of the markets is expected next week when normal trading is resumed and in about two weeks time when we get the first earnings reports. It is however clear the credit crisis is affecting consumers, cities, states, countries, governments and industries on a global scale, from high street to main street.
US Markets are expected to open today on a higher note as well.
North American motorists can expect higher gasoline and diesel taxes in 2009, to fund the high way infrastructure.
Motorists are driving less and buying less gasoline, which means fuel taxes aren't raising enough money to keep pace with the cost of road, bridge and transit programs.

Asia stocks kick off 2009 up
(01:33) Reuters VideoReport
Jan 2 - Asian shares begin 2009 trying to recover from one of the worst years ever.
Australian stocks declined slightly on Friday, erasing earlier gains in a light-volume start to the new year, as mining heavyweight BHP Billiton lost ground.