Asia-Pacific stock markets open higher

Asia-Pacific stock markets open higher
Associated Press

Asia-Pacific stock markets opened strongly on Monday, after stocks in the U.S. and Europe closed higher last week following a volatile few days.

Japan's Nikkei 225 index climbed 145.86 points, or 1.63 percent, to 9,109.58 in early morning trading.

In Australia, the country's benchmark S&P/ASX 200 rose 58.3 points, or 1.4 percent, to 4,230.9.

New Zealand's benchmark NZX50 index was up 24.4 points, or 0.76 percent, to 3240.9.

Global markets fluctuated wildly lasteek as investors already concerned over Europe's worsening debt crisis were further rattled by signs the U.S. might be headed toward recession.

Stocks in Europe and on Wall Street ended the volatile week higher on Friday following positive retail sales data out of the U.S. and after European regulators imposed temporary bans on short-selling of financial shares late Thursday.