Asian stock markets closed mostly higher Monday, with the key market in Tokyo rising briefly to a four-and-a-half-month high.
Tokyo's Nikkei index rose a fraction of one percent (47 points), to close at 11,947. The Nikkei advanced slightly Friday.
Hong Kong's key index, the Hang Seng, gained a fraction of one percent (98 points), to finish at 14,979.
Elsewhere, share prices were higher in Bombay, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore and Wellington.
Prices dropped in Jakarta, Manila, Sydney and Taipei.
The U.S. dollar was quoted at 112.10 yen in Tokyo, down 0.08 yen from late Friday in Tokyo, and below its late Friday New York level of 112.42 yen.
The price of gold in Hong Kong rose $4.10 cents to close at $441.75 cents an ounce.
