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Japan's Nikkei down after holiday break Shanghai shares surge to five-year high
(about 4 hours later)
Japan's main share index was lower in early trading on Monday, as Asia's markets reopened for the first full week in 2015. Mainland Chinese shares surged on Monday to their highest in five years, leading Asian markets as they reopened for the first full week in 2015.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 was down 0.7% at 17,334 despite ending 2014 up 8%. The Shanghai Composite was up 3.6% to 3,349.91, after gaining 50% in 2014.
Investors are hoping for monetary policy easing in China after a private survey last week showed manufacturing activity shrank for the first time in seven months.
In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng index was up 0.1% to 23,887.78.
Shares of Macau casino operator Melco Crown fell 3.5% after it announced a plan on Friday to withdraw its listing from Hong Kong for "cost savings" reasons.
The news came after the world's biggest gaming hub, Macau, recorded its first annual decline in gambling revenue since casinos were liberalised there in 2001.
Factories recover
In Japan, the benchmark Nikkei 225 closed down 0.2% at 17,408.71 despite ending 2014 up 8%.
Investors shrugged off data that showed Japan's manufacturing activity grew in December.Investors shrugged off data that showed Japan's manufacturing activity grew in December.
The Markit/JMMA purchasing managers index (PMI) was at 52, unchanged from November's reading. A score above 50 indicates growth.The Markit/JMMA purchasing managers index (PMI) was at 52, unchanged from November's reading. A score above 50 indicates growth.
The dollar, meanwhile, was steady at 120.31 yen, from 120.49 the previous day. The dollar, meanwhile, was steady at 120.54 yen, from 120.49 the previous day.
However, the euro fell to its lowest since 2006, buying just $1.186, compared to a low of $1.2002 on Friday. Euro woes
A combination of a strong US dollar, a healthy US economy and the possibility of Greece exiting the eurozone exaggerated the fall, on a day when trading was light. However, the euro fell to its lowest since 2006, buying just $1.18605, having fallen below an important support level of $1.20.
China shares mixed A combination of a strong US dollar, the possibility of further easing from the European Central Bank and of Greece exiting the eurozone exaggerated the fall on a day when trading was light.
In China, shares headed in the opposite direction with the Hang Seng index lower by 0.5% to 23,745. The common currency last traded at $1.1926.
Shares of Macau casino operator Melco Crown fell over 6% after it announced a plan on Friday to withdraw its listing from Hong Kong for "cost savings" reasons. Australian shares closed higher despite a survey showing weakness in the country's manufacturing sector last month.
The news came after the world's biggest gaming hub, Macau, recorded its first annual decline in gambling revenue since casinos were liberalised there in 2001.
Meanwhile, mainland China shares headed higher with the Shanghai Composite up 0.8% to 3,259 on hopes of further monetary easing by the government to boost the economy.
Australia's manufacturing eases
Australian shares headed higher on Monday morning, despite a survey showing weakness in the country's manufacturing sector last month.
The Australian Industry Group's PMI fell to 46.9, below the 50 level that indicates growth.The Australian Industry Group's PMI fell to 46.9, below the 50 level that indicates growth.
Firms reported a sharp drop in new orders in December.Firms reported a sharp drop in new orders in December.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 was up 0.3% to 5,453. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 was up 0.3% to 5450.3.
In South Korea, the Kospi was lower 0.8% to 1,910.6 after closing up 0.6% on Friday. In South Korea, the Kospi was lower 0.6% to 1,915.75 after closing up 0.6% on Friday.