Asian Stocks End Higher on Obama Victory

Updated from 12:51 a.m. EST

Asian stocks closed higher Wednesday, but shares in Europe were trading lower and futures in the U.S. indicate a decline at the open for Wall Street stocks as Barack Obama was elected the 44th president of the U.S.

Japan's Nikkei 225 stock average finished higher by 4.5% to 9521.24, as shares of energy companies and exporters, such as Toyota (TM Quote) and Sony(SNE Quote), rose on a weaker yen.

The Hang Seng index closed 3.2% higher, while the S&P/ASX 200 index in Australia rose 2.9%. ...