HONG KONG: Asian markets were mixed on Monday after Japanese shares opened at their highest level in seven months as risk appetite sharpened amid eased concerns over Europe's sovereign debt crisis.
The Nikkei 225 index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange began the day at 9,726.20, the best opening since August 2, when it started at 9,872.17. It ended the morning session 51.61 points higher at 9,698.99.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was 0.69 percent, or 146.91 points, higher at 21,553.77 and the Shanghai Composite Index was 0.46 percent, or 11.12 points, higher at 2,450.75.
In Australia, stocks slipped after Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard comfortably saw off a leadership challenge by her bitter rival Kevin Rudd.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 fell from 0.27 percent down ahead of the ballot to 0.64 percent lower at 4,279.1 points afterwards but CommSec analyst Craig James said the day's events would be unlikely to have much impact.
Other regional markets were down as high global oil prices undermined optimism over debt-hit Greece and better US data. (AFP)
The Nikkei 225 index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange began the day at 9,726.20, the best opening since August 2, when it started at 9,872.17. It ended the morning session 51.61 points higher at 9,698.99.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was 0.69 percent, or 146.91 points, higher at 21,553.77 and the Shanghai Composite Index was 0.46 percent, or 11.12 points, higher at 2,450.75.
In Australia, stocks slipped after Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard comfortably saw off a leadership challenge by her bitter rival Kevin Rudd.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 fell from 0.27 percent down ahead of the ballot to 0.64 percent lower at 4,279.1 points afterwards but CommSec analyst Craig James said the day's events would be unlikely to have much impact.
Other regional markets were down as high global oil prices undermined optimism over debt-hit Greece and better US data. (AFP)