HONG KONG, Feb 21: The euro jumped against the dollar in Asian trade on Tuesday after eurozone finance ministers approved a 237 billion euro bailout for crisis-ridden Greece, with regional shares also mostly higher.

Asian shares staged late rallies to finish mostly up after having been in negative territory for much of the day.

Hong Kong’s benchmark Hang Seng Index gained 0.25 per cent or 53.93 points to 21,478.72, and the Shanghai Composite Index, which covers both A and B shares, ended up 0.75 per cent, or 17.83 points, at 2,381.43.

Australian shares were also higher. Sydney’s benchmark S&P/ASX 200 closed up 0.82 per cent, or 35.1 points, to 4,291.2.

But Tokyo bucked the trend, with the Nikkei 225 closing off 0.23 per cent lower or 22.07 points at 9,463.02 despite a short-lived rally after the European announcement, as investors locked in profits after recent strong gains.

Singapore’s Straits Times Index closed up 0.13 per cent, or 3.88 points, to 3,025.07.

Seoul closed slightly lower with the KOSPI down 0.03 per cent, or 0.66 points, at 2,024.24.

Mumbai closed up 0.76 per cent, or 139.26 points, to 18,428.61.

Kuala Lumpur’s main index closed 0.21 per cent, or 3.21 points, higher at 1,563.78.

Manila fell 0.87 per cent or 42.9 points to 4,900.94.

Taipei fell 33.32 points, or 0.42pc, at 7,921.5.—AFP