Asian markets settled higher on Monday ahead of key US labour and economic reports due this week, which could shape Federal Reserve policy moving forward. Investors shrugged off geopolitical tensions that escalated after the United States captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. The South Korean KOSPI index broke the 4,400-mark for the first time as the leaders of China and South Korea hold their second meeting in as many months in Beijing. Japanese shares surged, led by gains in large-cap semiconductor-related shares and after data showed Japan's manufacturing activity steadied in December after five months of contraction. Moreover, Chinese shares rose despite fresh signs of slowing business growth. A private sector survey showed that China's services activity expanded at its slowest pace in six months in December.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 4,023.42 | 54.58 | 1.38 |
| Hang Seng | 26,347.24 | 8.77 | 0.03 |
| Jakarta Composite | 8,859.19 | 111.06 | 1.27 |
| KLSE Composite | 1,680.32 | 10.56 | 0.63 |
| Nikkei 225 | 51,832.80 | 1,493.32 | 2.97 |
| Straits Times | 4,680.50 | 24.38 | 0.52 |
| KOSPI Composite | 4,457.52 | 147.89 | 3.43 |
| Taiwan Weighted | 30,105.04 | 755.23 | 2.57 |
