Market Update
Asian markets started the week higher Monday following a positive close on Wall Street last week Friday.
The Nikkei was up 1.4%. The Shanghai Composite rose 1.8% while the Hang Seng stayed flat. The Sensex slipped 0.1% while the All Ordinaries added 0.7%.
Earlier Monday, data showed Japan’s current account deficit widened to a record in December to 638.6 billion yen.
Stocks on the Move
Shares of Isuzu Motors accelerated 5.8% after the auto maker reported a 38% rise in third quarter net profit. Nissan edged up 0.2% ahead of its results announcement due later in the day.
Also reacting to results, Olympus Corp. jumped 6.1%.
Sharp was up 2.2% while Hitachi gained 1.7%.
In Hong Kong, Landing International advanced over 14% after the company, along with partner Genting Singapore PLC, announced plans to build a $2.2 billion casino resort on South Korea’s Jeju Island.
Tata Steel strengthened 1.6% in Mumbai ahead of its third-quarter results due tomorrow and after market players took positive cues from ArcelorMittal's results announced on Friday.
Tata Motors gained 1.2% ahead of its results expected later in the day.
The broader market listed Wockhardt Ltd. added 4.4% after results.
HUL was down 1.6%.
In Sydney, resources were boosted by a gain in commodity prices. Gold digger Newcrest Mining brightened 6.7% while diversified miner and index leader BHP Billiton gained about a percent.
Oil and gas producer Santos also climbed a percent.
National Australia Bank was up 1.5% after the U.K.’s Sunday Times reported the lender is considering a $3.3 billion float of its British operations, which the report said, had dragged on NAB’s results in recent years.