hans: ashok shaha.e're seven minutes away from the european equity market open, which is called higher. the asian's equity -- let's get the details from juliette saly. juliette: good morning. a positive session in asia, leaving the relief rally, despite the fact that moody'st cut its rate expectation for china. we saw a number of solid gains on the regional benchmark index. all 10 industry groups advanced today. the benchmark index posting at its highest level in almost two months. we are returning from a holiday and rising by 1.5%, solid gains coming through on the nikkei 225, led by a lot of automakers on those strong february car sales numbers. in australia, a gdp helping the asx 200 close to percent higher, back above that psychological 5000 point level. rio tinto shares and focus, on reports that it could be cutting 500 700 jobs. -- 500 to 700 jobs. up, really rising on that rebound in crude oil. and these are pictures of the automakers in japan, rising on that better than expected february car sal