Most of the Asian equity benchmarks are trading higher in the early deals on Monday, with investors reacting to corporate earnings reports from the region. However, the overall mood is somewhat cautious amid lingering concerns about the situation in Ukraine and the Middle East. After opening on a weak note on Wall Street cues and a slightly stronger yen, the Japanese market recovered on, with investors picking up stocks on the back of some encouraging corporate earnings news. Among other markets in the Asia-Pacific region, Hong Kong, Shanghai and South Korea are notably higher, while Taiwan is trading weak.
Nikkei 225 soared 56.10 points or 0.36% to 15,513.97, Hang Seng increased by 221.53 points or 0.91% to 24,437.54, KOSPI Index strengthened by 14.72 points or 0.72% to 2,048.57 and Shanghai Composite was up by 44.07 points or 2.07% to 2,170.69.
On the flip side, Taiwan Weighted was down by 24.66 points or 0.26% to 9,414.63.
Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia markets remained shut for the trade today for Eid-il-Fitri Holiday.