Mixed markets in Asia today

The biggest gains in the Asian markets were scored in Japan where the Nikkei moved up 2 percent today to close at 10,513, posting its largest one-day rise in two weeks. There were increases across the board, with bank stocks climbing in reaction to a general feeling that the economy is truly on the road to recovery and that profits will rebound in 2010.

Winners included Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc., which climbed 4.4 percent, and Mizuho Financial Group Inc., which gained 2 percent. According to Bloomberg, Mizuho was the most actively traded company, and wins today's prize as short-sellers' most popular stock.