Hong Kong Market Starts The Week With A Gain

Hong Kong stocks started the week with gains on Monday following a surge on Wall Street, while energy firms rallied on the back of fresh increases in oil prices.

The Hang Seng Index added 0.2 percent, to close at 29,994.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite Index climbed 1.5 percent, to 3,136 and the Shenzhen Composite Index jumped 1.9 percent, to 1,822.

Most Asia markets rose as oil prices extended their rally ahead of Donald Trump's decision on the Iran nuclear deal.

Sydney was 0.4 percent up. Wellington, Taipei, Jakarta and Manila were well up.

But Tokyo ended marginally lower as traders returned following an extended holiday weekend, while Singapore was 0.2 percent off.

Seoul was closed for a public holiday.

The rise in oil has, however, boosted energy firms in Asia with CNOOC, PetroChina and Sinopec surging in Hong Kong, while Sydney-listed Woodside Petroleum and Tokyo-listed Inpex were also sharply higher. (AFP)