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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Asian shares climb in thin trade | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| 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. | 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 edged higher ahead of a public holiday on Tuesday. | In Japan, shares edged higher ahead of a public holiday on Tuesday. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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 deal could create Japan's second-largest firm in the domestic gasoline market. | The deal could create Japan's second-largest firm in the domestic gasoline market. |
| Rest of Asia | Rest of Asia |
| Chinese shares ended the day higher, taking the lead from Wall Street where shares made big gains on Friday. | |
| The benchmark Hang Seng Index ended up 291.94 points, or 1.3%, at 23,408.57, while the Shanghai Composite closed 18.85 points higher at 3,127.44. | |
| Australian shares led the region's gains after rising 2.5% on Friday, which was its biggest one-day gain since July last year. | 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 S&P/ASX 200 index closed up nearly 2% at 5,441.96, marking the fourth consecutive session of gains. | 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. | 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%. | 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. | The benchmark Kospi finished up 0.7% at 1,943.12 points. |