Asian stocks closed higher on the last trading day of the month, as investors focused on a mix of ebbing geopolitical tensions, robust earnings and economic data.
Markets in Japan and mainland China were shuttered for holidays.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index vaulted 527.78 points, or 1.7%, to 30,808.45. The financials and property sectors led gains before the market close, with mainland banks climbing after reporting net profit growth on Friday.
South Korean markets gain, with advances seen in steelmakers, automakers and and oil-related stocks. Technology names were mixed.
Down Under, equities edged higher as the utilities and heavily weighted financials sub-indexes advanced, canceling out slight declines in the materials and energy sectors.
Markets in Asia had closed higher in the prior session as investors digested a historic inter-Korea summit, which saw leaders of North and South Korea pledge to achieve peace.
Fading geopolitical tensions following last week's meeting also saw the Korean won firm on Monday. The currency last traded at 1,066.96 to the U.S. dollar.
In corporate news, Australia's AMP on Monday said its chairwoman, Catherine Brenner, had resigned from the position, days after the departure of Craig Meller, its chief executive. The announcement came amid an inquiry into the country's financial sector. AMP shares closed higher by 0.5%.
Elsewhere, shares of BYD listed in Hong Kong were down 5.7%, after the automaker said it expects first-half profit to fall as much as 83% following a reduction in subsidies.
South Korean construction company Hyundai Engineering & Construction popped 26.2% amid gains seen in other names in the sector. Train manufacturers also got a boost, following last week's inter-Korean summit on optimism over potential "economic projects."
Economic data released on Monday included China official Purchasing Managers' Index data. The official manufacturing PMI for April came in at 51.4, topping expectations of 51.3, but below the 51.5 seen in March. The official services PMI came in at 54.8, above last month's reading of 54.6.
In other markets
In Korea, the Kospi Index gained 22.98 points, or 0.9%, to 2,515.38
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index acquired 36.72 points, or 1%, to 3,613.93
In Taiwan, the Taiex Index jumped 104.45 points, or 1%, to 10,657.88
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 added 73.21 points, or 0.9%, to 8,443.58
In Australia, the ASX 200 gained 29.09 points, or 0.5%, to 5,982.73
