Asian markets close Monday in positive territory

By Tuba Sahin

ISTANBUL (AA) – Major stock markets in Asia posted gains at Monday's close with Chinese markets on holiday for a week.

The Asia Dow, which includes blue-chip companies in the region, gained 27.6 points, or 0.76%, to close at 3,667.98 points.

Tokyo's Nikkei 225 stock exchange was up 284.64 points, or 1.07%, to 27,001.

Meanwhile, the Hang Seng, the benchmark for blue-chip stocks trading on the Hong Kong stock exchange, rose 252.2 points, or 1.07%, to reach 23,802.

The Indian Sensex benchmark posted an increase of 980.15 points, or 1.71%, to close at 58,180 points, and the Singapore index also earned 3.26 points, or 0.10%, to reach 3,249.

Chinese markets are closed for a week on account of the Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, with holiday starting on Monday.