Asian shares rise despite weak China data

Hong Kong -Asian markets climbed Monday as investors brushed off fresh evidence indicating that China's manufacturing sector is shrinking, while some analysts said it could prompt lawmakers to loosen monetary policy.

Japanese shares enjoyed a healthy rebound following a heavy sell-off on Thursday, buoyed by the yen's losses against the dollar, although investors remain on edge over the Crimea crisis.

Tokyo gained 1.77%, or 251.07 points, to end at 14 475, Sydney rose 0.17%, or 8.8 points, to 5 347 and Seoul closed 0.55% higher, adding 10.61 points to 1 946.

Shanghai closed up 0.91%, or 18.66 points, at 2 066, while Hong Kong rallied 1.91%, or 409.75 points, to 21 846.

HSBC said preliminary readings showed Chinese factory activity had contracted in March, adding to concerns about the world's number two economy.

The British banking giant's flash purchasing managers index came in at 48.1, an eight-month low and down from 48.5 in February. A final figure will be released next week.

Anything below 50 indicates contraction, while a figure above points to expansion.

"China's growth momentum continued to slow down," HSBC economist Qu Hongbin said in a statement. "Weakness is broadly based with domestic demand softening further. We expect Beijing to launch a series of policy measures to stabilise growth."

The figures are the latest to suggest the Chinese economy, a key driver of regional and global growth, is slowing down following several months of weak data including on trade, investment and inflation.

But, despite the downbeat results, regional markets were broadly buoyant, with some analysts suggesting policymakers could start to loosen their grip on monetary policy to grease the economy.

"With growth poised to slow below 7.5% year-over-year, we are now in easing territory for both fiscal and monetary policy," Flemming Nielsen, a senior analyst at Danske Bank in Denmark, said.

Japan's Nikkei surged on bargain-hunting following a 1.65% dive on Thursday. The market was closed Friday for a public holiday.

Providing support to Tokyo shares was a weaker yen, which helps exporters. In afternoon trade, the dollar bought ¥102.61, compared with ¥102.23 in New York Friday.

The euro fetched $1.3817 against $1.3794 and ¥141.80 from ¥141.87.

Wall Street provided a negative lead, with US investors on edge over events in eastern Europe after Russia absorbed Crimea from Ukraine following a controversial referendum earlier in the month.

The Dow fell 0.17%, the S&P 500 lost 0.29% and the Nasdaq shed 0.98%.

Markets are keeping an eye on Europe as US President Barack Obama - who has led stiff Western sanctions against Moscow - heads to The Hague for a gathering of world leaders that could see Russia excluded from the Group of Eight rich countries.

With Russia massing what NATO called a "very sizeable" force on its border with Ukraine, there are fears that President Vladimir Putin is hungry for more Ukrainian territory.

In oil trade, New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate for May delivery, rose seven cents to $99.53 a barrel in afternoon trade, and Brent crude for May dipped 29 cents to $106.63.

Gold fetched $1 322.65 an ounce at 08:10 GMT compared with $1 341.57 late Friday.

In other markets:

Taipei rose 0.33%, or 28.21 points, to 8 605.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co was unchanged at Tw$112.5 while Hon Hai Precision rose 1.53% to Tw$86.0.

Wellington eased 0.12%, or 6.38 points, to 5 119.

Telecom was up 1.26% at NZ$2.40, but Fletcher Building fell 1.84% to NZ$9.59.

Manila climbed 0.97%, or 61.41 points, to 6 401.

BDO Unibank gained 1.34% to 83.10 pesos and Philippine Long Distance Telephonerose 1.04% to 2 708 pesos.

Mumbai surged 1.38% or 300.16 points to 22 055.

Engineers India rose 6.73% or 12.60 rupees to 199.95 rupees per share, while Muthoot Finance rose 5.16% or 8.15 rupees to 166.20 rupees per share.

Bangkok lost 0.78% or 10.60 points to 1 350.

Airports of Thailand dropped 2.34% to 188.00 baht, while telecoms company True Corporation fell 2.17% to 6.75 baht.

Jakarta ended up 0.43%, or 20.21 points, at 4 720.

Tin producer Timah gained 5.43% to 1 845 rupiah, while lender Bank Permata fell 1.85% to 1 330 rupiah.

Singapore closed up 1.25%, or 38.44 points, at 3 111.83.

Singapore Telecommunications rose 1.14% to Sg$3.56 while DBS bank was also up 1.52% to Sg$16.07.

Kuala Lumpur's main stock index gained 0.73 percent or 13.37 points to 1,833.85.

British American Tobacco ended 2.4% higher at 59.88 ringgit, while YTL was up 2.0% to 1.55. Top Glove fell 4.1% to 4.88 ringgit.