TOKYO – Asian shares were mixed Monday, as some indexes were lifted by hopes for a gradual global recovery after the U.S.
economic relief package passed the Senate over the weekend. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 was up 0.2% in early trading at 28,926.03.
Australia's S&P/ASX 200 jumped nearly 1.0% to 6,776.00, while South Korea's Kospi shed 0.2% to 3,020.40. Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 1.2% to 3,020.40, while the Shanghai Composite fell 0.5% to 3,483.92.
Although shares mostly rose at first, some benchmarks slipped when players sold to lock in profits. “Asia markets had commenced the week on firmer footing at the start of the week sharing in the optimism over the progress of the U.S.