Asian stock markets close mixed

By Ovunc Kutlu

ANKARA (AA) - Stock markets in Asia closed mixed on Monday.

The Asia Dow, which includes blue-chip companies in the region, was down 22 points, or 0.62%, to 3,532 points at 1025GMT.

Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 stock exchange was closed due to Vernal Equinox Day. The index ended Friday at 26,652 points.

The Hang Seng, the benchmark for blue-chip stocks trading on the Hong Kong stock exchange, lost 191 points, or 0.89%, to 21,221.

India's Sensex benchmark fell 571 points, or 0.99%, to end the day at 57,292.

Chinese real estate developer Evergrande Group and two of its subsidiaries, Evergrande Property Services Group and Evergrande New Energy Vehicle Group, had their trading halted on the Hong Kong stock exchange on Monday.

The move could be a result of a possible pending announcement that the Chinese real estate developer may restructure its massive debt.

China’s Shanghai Stock Exchange, on the other hand, added just 2 points, or 0.08%, to finish at 3,253.

The Singapore index rose 24 points, or 0.75%, to 3,355.