Asian stocks ended mixed Monday, with export-geared markets trading weaker amid concern about the U.S. growth outlook, while Australia rose on strength in BHP Billiton and other natural-resource stocks and China powered to a record before the markets close for a week-long holiday.
In Tokyo, markets are closed Monday, Thursday and Friday for public holidays while in Hong Kong, the blue chip Hang Seng Index fell 207.52 points to 20,318.98 points.
Asian stocks ended mixed Monday, with export-geared markets trading weaker amid concern about the U.S. growth outlook, while Australia rose on strength in BHP Billiton and other natural-resource stocks and China powered to a record before the markets close for a week-long holiday.
In China, the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index ended up 2.2 percent at 3,841.27, its highest-ever close. The Shenzhen Composite Index rose 1.6 percent to 1,064.77, also a record closing high.
Investors sold stocks after China's central bank said Sunday it will raise banks' reserve requirement ratio by another 0.5 percentage point to 11 percent for most commercial banks.
The move, which comes after stronger-than-expected first-quarter economic growth, is the seventh increase within a year.
Banks ended lower, however, with Shanghai Pudong Development Bank down 2.2 percent and Hua Xia Bank down 1.0 percent. Citic Bank slid 9.1 percent.
Elsewere:
BANGKOK: Thai shares inched up 0.6 percent to 699.16 points in mild trading on buying in energy and petrochemical blue chips.
JAKARTA: Indonesia shares lost 1 percent, consistent with other weak Asian markets. Traders said a planned demonstration in the Indonesian capital Tuesday for Labor Day also weighed on sentiment.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia shares slipped 2.52 points, or 0.2 percent, to 1,322.25.
MANILA: Philippine shares dropped Monday, led by property and banking stocks, on expectation of rising interest rates. The benchmark 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange Index shed 47.65 points, or 1.4 percent, finishing at 3,270.73, extending Friday's 1 percent fall.
SEOUL: South Korean shares fell marginally on losses in banks and SK Networks. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 0.28 point, marginal in percentage terms, to 1,542.24.
SINGAPORE: Singapore shares declined on profit-taking ahead of a public holiday and on negative reports about China's stock markets. The STI fell 37.31 points, or 1.1 percent, to 3,361.29.
SYDNEY: Australian stocks edged up slightly Monday with a mixed performance across sectors and a lift in oil price offering a modest boost to the energy companies. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index edged up 14.4 points to 6,166.00.
TAIPEI: Taiwan shares fell, weighed down by disappointment over the government's negative response to initiatives taken at a trade forum in China. The Weighted Price Index of the Taiwan Stock Exchange dropped 74.00 points, or 0.9 percent, to close at 7,875.42 in light volume.
WELLINGTON: New Zealand stocks rose in slight volume, boosted by takeover activity and strength in bellwether Telecom Corp. ahead of its third-quarter earnings results Thursday. The benchmark NZX-50 climbed 13.2 points, or 0.3 percent, to 4,194.64.
With files from wire services
