Shares in Asia were higher on Monday — the final trading day of January, with markets in mainland China and South Korea closed for the Lunar New Year eve.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 moved ahead 284.64 points, or 1.1%, to 27.001.96. Despite its Monday gains, the Nikkei 225 dropped about 6% for January.
The Japanese yen traded at 115.46 per u.s. dollar, having weakened last week from below 114.6 against the greenback.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index jumped 1.07% on the day to 23,802.26.
The Australian dollar was at $0.7023 after dropping in the previous trading week from above $0.714.
CHINA
Official data released Sunday showed Chinese factory activity growth slowing in January. The country’s official manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index for January was at 50.1, just above the 50 level that separates growth from contraction. January’s reading compared against December’s figure of 50.3.
Meanwhile, a private survey released over the weekend showed Chinese manufacturing activity contracting in January. The Caixin/Markit manufacturing PMI came in at 49.1 for the month.
PMI readings are sequential and represent month-on-month expansion or contraction.
In other markets
Markets in Shanghai, Korea, and Taiwan were shuttered for holiday.
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index lost 13.7 points, or 0.4%, to 3,246.33.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 gained 37.25 points, or 0.3%, to 11,889.40
In Australia, the ASX 200 removed 16.51 points, or 0.2%, to 6,971.63.
