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Asian shares trade mixed in holiday shortened week Asian shares higher in thin trade
(about 5 hours later)
Asian markets traded mixed on Monday, although trading was thin at the start a working week shortened by the Christmas break. Asian markets headed higher on Monday, although trading was thin at the start of a working week that will be shortened by the Christmas break.
Trading activity is likely to muted until the New Year with many investors away for the holidays.Trading activity is likely to muted until the New Year with many investors away for the holidays.
In Japan, shares headed lower ahead of a public holiday on Tuesday. In Japan, shares edged higher ahead of a public holiday on Tuesday.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 was down 1% at 17,606.59, while the dollar was at 119.46 yen compared with 119.43 yen in New York on Friday. The benchmark Nikkei 225 closed up 13.74 points at 17,635.14, while the dollar was at 119.46 yen compared with 119.43 yen in New York on Friday.
Chinese shares opened higher, taking the lead from Wall Street where shares made big gains on Friday. Shares of oil refiner Showa Shell Sekiyu jumped more than 27% after local media reported that it was in talks to be acquired by larger rival Idemitsu Kosan.
The benchmark Hang Seng Index was up 0.8% to 23,300.9, while the Shanghai Composite was higher 0.8% at 3,134.18. The deal could create Japan's second-largest firm in the domestic gasoline market.
Australian shares were higher after rising 2.5% on Friday, which saw its biggest one-day gain since July last year. Rest of Asia
The S&P/ASX 200 index was up 1.3% at 5,407.6. Chinese shares were higher, taking the lead from Wall Street where shares made big gains on Friday.
In South Korea, shares were up despite news that the government is cutting its growth forecasts for this year and 2015. The benchmark Hang Seng Index rose 1.4% to 23,449.56, while the Shanghai Composite was 1.5% higher at 3,154.41.
Officials said the economy would grow by 3.4% this year, down from 3.7% projected in July, while growth next year would be 3.8% from 4% predicted earlier. Australian shares led the region's gains after rising 2.5% on Friday, which was its biggest one-day gain since July last year.
The benchmark Kospi was up 0.3% at 1,935.59 points. The S&P/ASX 200 index closed up nearly 2% at 5,441.96, marking the fourth consecutive session of gains.
In South Korea, the market hit a two-week high despite news that the government had cut its growth forecasts for this year and 2015.
Officials said the economy would grow by 3.4% this year, down from 3.7% projected in July, while growth next year is predicted to be 3.8%, down from an earlier estimate of 4%.
The benchmark Kospi finished up 0.7% at 1,943.12 points.