Asian markets advanced strongly Monday, with Japanese stocks lifted by exporters like Toyota and Canon, while Hong Kong's benchmark index jumped 2.1 percent. Markets in Australia, China, Indonesia and South Korea all closed at record highs, according to AP. In Tokyo, the benchmark Nikkei 225 index climbed 264.35 points, or 1.52 percent, to finish at 17,628.30 points. Stocks rebounded from two days of losses as investors bought exporters such as autos and electronics shares amid the yen's weakness against the U.S. dollar, traders said. Gainers included Toyota Motor Corp., which rose 0.98 percent, Canon Inc., which posted a 2.64 percent gain, and Toshiba Corp., which climbed 1.59 percent. Pharmaceuticals also advanced, with Astellas Pharma Inc. rising 1.92 percent. In Hong Kong, shares jumped 2.1 percent, lifted by China Mobile. The blue-chip Hang Seng Index rose 416.56 points to 20,757.53. Investor confidence was boosted by gains in regional markets and on Wall Street Friday. China Mobile, the world's largest wireless phone operator by subscribers, surged 5.7 percent on bargain hunting and on expectation of a strong first-quarter result April 20. Cheung Kong, the property flagship of tycoon Li Ka-shing, jumped 2.3 percent and rival Sun Hung Kai Properties rose 1.1 percent. Angang Steel soared 12.7 percent. Semiconductor maker SMIC jumped 5.4 percent, buoyed by a report saying U.S. investors are interested in buying a 20-25 percent stake in the company for about US$600 million (¤443.4 million). In currency trading in Tokyo, the U.S. dollar fell against the euro but gained against the yen. The euro rose to US$1.3546 from US$1.3539. The greenback bought 119.46 yen at 4:50 p.m. (0750 GMT) Monday, up from 119.12 yen late Friday in New York. Elsewhere: JAKARTA: Indonesian shares advanced 1.2 percent to a new high of 1,963.82 points, helped by gains in most Asian markets and expectations that many companies will report strong first-quarter earnings due to lower interest rates. KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian shares rose 1.1 percent to 1,322.91 points, a new closing high for 2007. Dealers say firm foreign buying interest in plantation, property and select blue chips continues to keep market strong. MANILA: Philippine shares rose as investors bought bargain stocks, among them conglomerate Ayala Corp. and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. The benchmark 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange Index gained 50.8 points, or 1.6 percent, after falling 2.4 percent last week. MUMBAI: Indian shares ended sharply higher, taking their cues from strong markets around the world and led by market heavyweights Reliance Industries and state-run Oil & Natural Gas Corp. The 30-scrip BSE index jumped 311.50 points, or 2.3 percent, to 13,695.58. SEOUL: South Korean shares again closed at a record high after a one-day mild retreat Friday, buoyed by Hyundai Department Store, Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction and brokerages. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, jumped 11.26 points, or 0.7 percent, to 1,532.04. SHANGHAI: Shanghai shares hit a record high as securities funds bought financial companies. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index jumped 2.2 percent to 3,596.44. The Shenzhen Composite Index rose 2.7 percent to 973.88. SINGAPORE: Singapore moved higher on gains in Genting International and property stocks. The Straits Times Index gained 40.56 points, or 1.2 percent, to close at 3,414.15. SYDNEY: Australian shares hit a record high, driven by positive leads from the U.S. combined with bullish domestic themes and expectations of substantial near-term cash inflows. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index advanced 61.9 points, or 1 percent, to 6,197.7 after hitting a record high of 6,206.3. TAIPEI: Taiwan shares ended flat as investors waited for leading tech companies to announce their first quarter revenues. The Weighted Price Index of the Taiwan Stock Exchange fell 1.58 points to close at 8,043.54 points in light volume. WELLINGTON: New Zealand shares rose slightly, with the market pushed into positive territory by a strong showing by bellwether Telecom. The benchmark NZX-50 index rose 6.4 points, or 0.2 percent, to 4,170.70. Bangkok's stock market was closed. -- SPA
