Asian stock markets close Monday mixed

By Tuba Sahin

ANKARA (AA) – Major Asian stock markets were mixed at Monday's close ahead of key interest rate decisions from major central banks this week.

The Asia Dow, which includes blue-chip companies in the region, fell 0.71% to 3,541.53 points as of 1200GMT.

Tokyo's Nikkei 225 gained 0.19% to close at 27,433.40 points.

The Hang Seng, the benchmark for blue-chip stocks trading on the Hong Kong stock exchange, dove 2.73% to 22,069.73 points with profit-taking.

China's Shanghai Stock Exchange rose 0.14% to close at 3,269.32 after returning from a week-long Lunar New Year holiday.

Combined daily turnover of Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets topped 1 trillion yuan ($148 billion) on Monday for the first time in nearly two months.

Foreign capital inflow of 18.6 billion yuan ($2.49 billion) was registered on Monday thanks to accelerating economic recovery in the world's second largest economy.

The Singapore index lost 0.47% to end the day at 3,378.29 points, while India's Sensex benchmark increased 0.29% to close at 59,500.41.