Asian stocks close Monday with gains

By Tuba Ongun

ANKARA (AA) – Major Asian stock markets closed Monday with gains as investors digested a slew of economic data which showed easing in production in the region.

The Asia Dow, which includes blue-chip companies in the region, gained 1.75% to reach 3,587 points as of 1015GMT.

Tokyo's Nikkei 225 surged 1.7% to close at a 33-year peak of 33,753.

The au Jibun Bank Japan manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) came in line with market estimates, falling to 49.8 in June from 50.6 in the prior month.

The Hang Seng, the benchmark for blue-chip stocks trading on the Hong Kong exchange, soared 2.06% to reach 19,306 points.

Retail sales in Hong Kong jumped 16.5% from a year earlier in May, up from a downwardly revised 13.1% hike in the prior month.

China's Shanghai Stock Exchange gained 1.31% to 3,243 points on Monday.

China’s Caixin manufacturing PMI fell to 50.5 in June from 50.9 in May, but was slightly above market estimates of 50.2.

India's Sensex index climbed 0.75% to close at a new record high of 65,205 and the Singapore index ticked up 0.04% to end the day at 3,207 points.

Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong was named the chairman of Singapore's central bank.

Wong is also the country’s finance minister, and will succeed Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who has been at the helm since May 2011. Shanmugaratnam will step down on Jul 8.

India's manufacturing PMI dropped to 57.8 in June from May's 31-month high of 58.7.