Asian markets mixed on thin Boxing Day trade

HONG KONG: Asian markets were mixed in thin Boxing Day trade Monday, amid ongoing concerns over Europe's fiscal woes and investor caution in the last trading week of the year.

Japanese shares closed 1.00 percent higher, or 84.18 points, to 8,479.34, Seoul finished the day 0.56 percent lower, or 10.52 points, at 1,856.70, while Chinese shares ended down 0.67 percent, or 14.67 points, at 2,190.11.

Taiwan shares lost 0.26 percent, or 18.15 points, at 7,092.58, with Manila gained 0.34 percent, or 14.82 points, to 4,387.06.

Financial markets in Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, New Zealand and Malaysia were closed on Monday for a public holiday.

New York and other major Western markets were also closed Monday for the Christmas holiday.

On currency markets, the dollar barely moved at 77.99 yen in Asian trade Monday, little changed from 78.06 yen in New York Friday.

The euro was at $1.3062 and 101.86 yen, also little changed from $1.3040 and 101.86 yen in New York Friday.