Shares advanced across Asia on Thursday, the last full trading day before many markets start Lunar New Year holidays, AP reported. Japan's Nikkei 225 surged 1.8 percent to 19,402.39 and South Korea's Kospi gained 0.8 percent to 2,083.59. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index advanced 1.3 percent to 23,342.53. The Shanghai Composite index rose 0.3 percent to 3,159.17 and benchmarks in Southeast Asia were also higher. Australian and Indian markets are closed for holidays. Benchmark U.S. crude oil added 37 cents to $53.12 per barrel in New York. The contract fell 43 cents to close at $52.75 a barrel on Wednesday. Brent crude, used to price international oils, gained 32 cents at $55.74 a barrel in London. The dollar strengthened to 113.72 yen from 113.19 while the euro weakened to $1.0738 from $1.0757.
