South Korea’s Kospi closed at an all-time high Monday as Asia-Pacific markets rose, with investors also weighing a possible U.S. intervention in Iran.
Markets in Japan were closed for holiday.
On Sunday, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s coalition partner, Hirofumi Yoshimura, said that she may call an early general election. His comments come after domestic media reported that Takaichi was considering a snap election in February, citing government sources.
The Japanese yen weakened sharply Monday, hitting a one-year low of 158.19 against the greenback.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index leaped 376.69 points, or 1.4%, to 26,608.48.
Shares of Hyundai Glovis soared as much as 7% after analysts raised their price target for the South Korean logistics company.
Robot-maker Boston Dynamics, in which Hyundai Glovis owns an 80% stake, announced a partnership with Google DeepMind last Monday to integrate AI into humanoid robots.
Oil prices are in focus as Iran entered a third week of protests, which have seen more than 500 people killed, according to a U.S.-based rights group. President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing options for intervention in Iran, according to multiple reports Sunday.
In other markets
The CSI 300 in Shanghai gained 30.99 points, or 0.7%, to 4,789.92.
In Korea, the Kospi acquired 38.47 points, or 0.5%, to 4,624.79.
In Taiwan, the Taiex climbed 278.33 points, or 0.9%, to 30,567.29.
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index gained 22.12 points, or 0.5%. to 4,766.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 dropped 12.96 points, or 0.1%, to 13,683.29.
In Australia, the ASX 200 moved forward 41.65 points, or 0.5%, to 8,759.39.
