Asian Market Update

Asian markets were mixed on Monday as traders took a breather after last week's rally, while Hong Kong and Shanghai were barely moved after a weak Chinese manufacturing report.

Dealers were given a healthy lead from Wall Street, where the Dow and S&P 500 reached new record highs after Japan's central bank said it would ramp up its own stimulus programme to kickstart growth.

The dollar held on to Friday's gains against the yen, sitting at seven-year highs, as Friday's news came days after the Federal Reserve ended its own stimulus, highlighting the contrast between the US and Japanese economies.