Stocks in Asia-Pacific rose on Monday, as data showed China’s manufacturing activity grew in October.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 regained 318.35 points, or 1.4%, to 23,295.48.
The Japanese yen traded at 104.75 per U.S. dollar after weakening from levels below 104.4 against the greenback last week. Meanwhile, the
Australian dollar changed hands at $0.7003 after weakening sharply last week from levels above $0.708.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index restocked 352.59 points, or 1.5%, to 24,460.01.
Meanwhile, the Australian dollar changed hands at $0.7003 after weakening sharply last week from levels above $0.708.
CHINA
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 reacquired 25.5 points, or 0.5%, to 4,720.83.
Investor focus on Monday was likely on China’s economy. A private survey showed Monday that China’s manufacturing sector expanding for the sixth straight month in October. The Caixin/Markit Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for Chinese manufacturing came in at 53.6 for October, higher than the 53.0 reading forecast by analysts.
PMI readings above 50 signify expansion, while those below that indicate contraction. PMI readings are sequential and represent on-month expansion or contraction.
The Monday data release came after China’s official manufacturing PMI for October came in at 51.4, according to the country’s National Bureau of Statistics. That was slightly lower than the 51.5 reading in September.
In other markets
In Korea, the Kospi index re-strengthened 33.01 points, or 1.5%, to 2,300.16.
In Taiwan, the Taiex Index added 44.97 points, or 0.4%, to 12,591.31.
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index climbed 19.29 points, or 0.8%, to 2,4433.13.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 slid 13.64 points, or 0.1%, to 12,070.83
In Australia, the ASX 200 grabbed 23.72 points, or 0.4%, to 5,951.30.