Asian stock markets close Monday higher except for China

By Tuba Sahin

ANKARA (AA) – Major Asian stock markets were higher at Monday's close except for China ahead of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's testimony on Tuesday.

The Asia Dow, which includes blue-chip companies in the region, rose 0.99% to 3,387 points.

Tokyo's Nikkei 225 gained 1.11% to close at 28,237.78 points, fueled by rally in Japanese technology stocks.

The Hang Seng, the benchmark for blue-chip stocks trading on the Hong Kong stock exchange, increased 0.17% to 20,603.19 points.

China's Shanghai Stock Exchange, on the other hand, fell 0.19% to close at 3,322.03 after Beijing's modest economic growth target for this year disappointed market.

The Chinese government on Sunday announced a growth target of 5% this year, lower than last year's target of 5.5%. Beijing also pledged to minimize risks in the property sector.

The Singapore index climbed 0.23% to end the day at 3,239.31 points.

India's Sensex benchmark hiked 0.69% to close at 60,224.46 as confidence in Adani Group assets recovered.