Stocks in Asia were mixed on the final day of 2018, as most major markets around the globe were set to record calendar year declines.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index leaped 341.5 points, or 1.3%, to 25,854.70. The day’s gains, however, were unable to offset the index’s performance for 2018 — with it declining about 13.6% as compared to its final close of 2017.
The benchmark Australian index ended 2018 lower by 6.9% as compared to its final close of 2017.
On Monday, the materials sub-index Down Under gained 0.4%, as shares of major miners advanced. Rio Tinto rose 0.5% Fortescue advanced 1.2% and BHP Billiton climbed up by 0.8%.
Markets in Japan were shut down for the day, as were indexes in Shanghai, Korea, and Taiwan
In other markets
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 added 27.78 points, or 0.3%, to 8,811.27
In Australia, the ASX 200 waned 7.02 points, or 0.1%, to 5,597
