Asian markets ended mostly higher on Monday, as traders shrugged off data released over the weekend that revived concerns over the Chinese economy.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 regained 54.19 points, or 0.3%, to 16,466.40.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index rebounded 164.66 points, or 0.8%, to 19,833.95
On Monday morning before market open, Bank of Japan data showed Japan's producer price index for April fell 4.2% on-year, compared to a Reuters poll that expected a 3.7% on-year decline.
The yen traded at 108.74 against the U.S. dollar, compared to its last close at 108.60 and a Monday session high of 108.97. The marginal weakness, however, was not enough to give exporters a boost. Most major Japanese exporters closed mixed, with shares of Nissan up 0.5%, while Sony shares dropped 1.3%
Usually a weaker yen is a positive for export stocks as it boosts their overseas profits when converted into the local currency.
Yen traders will also be watching for Japan's first quarter gross domestic product numbers due this week. A Reuters' poll showed that market watchers expect Japan to register an annualized growth rate of 0.2% for the January through March period.
Elsewhere, the Australian dollar advanced slightly against the greenback, trading at $0.7277 after last closing at $0.7263. But the Aussie remains well off from the $0.78 level it briefly touched in April.
Energy plays closed mixed, with Santos down 0.7%, Woodside Petroleum down 0.7%, while Japan's Inpex finished up 0.2%
Some Australian mining stocks came under pressure, with shares of Sandfire Resources closing down 0.2% and South32 off by 1.5%.
Major miners were positive, with Fortescue up 1% and Rio Tinto higher by 1.3%
CHINA
The CSI 300 Index gained 20.37 points, or 0.7%, to 3,095.31.
Among energy plays, Chinese mainland shares of Sinopec reversed losses to close up 0.2%
Data released by China's National Bureau of Statistics showed investment, factory output and retail sales all grew more slowly than expected in April, with factory output cooling to 6% growth in April compared to market expectation for a 6.5% on-year rise
In other markets
In Korea, the Kospi Index inched higher 0.92 points, or 0.1%, to 1,967.91
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index eked up 1.15 points to 2,736.06
In Taiwan, the Taiex Index gained 13.91 points, or 0.2%, to 8,067.60
New Zealand’s NZX 50 dropped 2.44 points to 6,914.43
The ASX 200 climbed 29.96 points, or 0.6%, to 5,358.95
