Hong Kong Shares Jump, Mainland Markets Up

Hong Kong stocks soared almost 2 percent on Monday, building on a rally at the end of last week, after the release of forecast-beating US jobs data.

The Hang Seng Index jumped 1.9 percent, to end at 31,594.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index climbed 0.6 percent, to 3,326 and the Shenzhen Composite Index rallied 1.2 percent, to 1,908.

Other major Asian markets also extended last week's rally as investors were cheered by US Labour Department data that showed employers added a forecast-busting 313,000 jobs in February.

Tokyo shares climbed as the impact of a cronyism scandal dogging Japan's premier appeared limited. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index rose 1.7 percent, to close at 21,824.

Seoul put on one percent. Sydney rose 0.6 percent, helped by news Australia had won an exemption from Trump's tariffs, Singapore piled on 1.6 percent and Taipei added more than 1 percent.

There were also healthy gains in Wellington, Manila and Jakarta. (AFP)