ASX firmly higher this afternoon

Summary

• The ASX200 recovers from early losses to be 0.9 per cent higher in early afternoon. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index jumps 3.3 per cent. 
• Fortescue Metals set a new record high price of $14.42.
• Wall Street futures are slightly positive in early afternoon. 
• Aussie dollar reaches a 15-week high of US67.35 cents.