Investing.com - Asian stock markets were mixed on Monday, as investors monitored developments tied to the elections in Ukraine over the weekend.
During late Asian trade, Hong Kong's Hang Seng dipped 0.1%, China’s Shanghai Composite inched up 0.08%, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 closed 0.36% higher, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 ended up 0.97%.
Ukraine held presidential elections on Sunday, with exit polls showing a decisive victory for billionaire Petro Poroshenko. He has promised to restore order in the country, following months of fighting between pro-Russian forces and the government.
In Tokyo, the Nikkei ended at a one-month high as a record close for the S&P 500 on Friday and a weaker yen lifted sentiment. The yen weakened against the dollar, trading at ¥102.04, compared to the previous session’s high of ¥101.58 (USD/JPY).
Automakers Honda (TOKYO:7267) and Nissan (TOKYO:7201) tacked on 1.8% and 1% respectively, while Sony (TOKYO:6758) and Sharp (TOKYO:6753) rallied 3.1% and 2.6%.
Meanwhile, in Australia, the ASX/200 Index ended higher, while the Australian dollar AUD/USD continued to hover near last week’s three-week low against the greenback.
Gains in the mining sector boosted the benchmark index. Fortescue Metals Group (ASX:FMG) picked up 1.1%, while BHP Billiton (ASX:BHP) and Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX:RIO) added 0.7% apiece.
Elsewhere, shares in mainland China and Hong Kong swung between gains and losses amid ongoing concerns over the health of China’s economy.
Shares in Chinese battery and car maker BYD (HK:1211) lost 3% in Hong Kong as the company resumed trading after a deal to raise around $550 million via a share placement.
Looking ahead, European stock market futures pointed to a higher open. The Euro Stoxx 50 futures pointed to a gain of 0.5%, France’s CAC 40 inched up 0.3%, while Germany's DAX pointed to an increase of 0.45% at the open.
European Central Bank President Mario Draghi was to speak at the ECB Forum in Portugal later Monday, with investors watching for any indications on the future direction of monetary policy.
Trade volumes were expected to remain thin on Monday with U.K. markets closed for a public holiday and markets in the U.S. remaining shut for the Memorial Day holiday.