CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - Asian stocks ended broadly higher on Tuesday as a surge in crude oil prices to nearly six-month highs boosted energy stocks. Chinese and Hong Kong markets bucked the trend to end lower on concerns that the Chinese government may slow down monetary easing.
Mainland Chinese shares extended losses for a second straight session on expectations that China's central bank is unlikely to cut the RRR anytime soon.
The benchmark Shanghai Composite index dropped 16.45 points or 0.51 percent to 3,198.59 while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index ended marginally lower at 29,963.24.
Japanese shares eked out modest gains, with oil-related stocks pacing the gainers after oil prices hit 2019 highs. The benchmark Nikkei inched up 41.84 points or 0.19 percent to 22,259.74 while the broader Topix index closed 0.27 percent higher at 1,622.97.
Japan Petroleum Exploration rose 1.3 percent, Idemitsu Kosan gained 1.7 percent and Inpex Corp rallied 2.8 percent. Heavyweight dropped 1.8 percent and Yaskawa Electric lost 2.9 percent on profit taking after recent strong gains.
Australian markets hit their highest in nearly eight months as higher commodity and oil prices boosted resource stocks.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index climbed 59.60 points or 0.95 percent to 6,319.40 as trading resumed after a four-day long Easter weekend. The broader All Ordinaries index ended up 61.20 points or 0.96 percent at 6,411.10.
Energy stocks such as oil Search, Origin Energy, Santos, Beach Energy and Woodside Petroleum rallied 2-4 percent after oil prices jumped to 2019 highs on expectations that the U.S. decision not to renew waivers previously granted on Iran oil import sanctions would further squeeze supply.
Mining heavyweight BHP rose 0.3 percent and Rio Tinto added 1.5 percent while smaller rival Fortescue Metals Group jumped as much as 3.5 percent.
Gold miners Newcrest and Evolution dropped over 1 percent despite an increase in gold prices overnight. Banks ANZ, Commonwealth and Westpac all ended up over 1 percent.
Seoul stocks edged up slightly as investors awaited earnings results from large-cap companies this week. The benchmark Kospi rose 3.86 points or 0.17 percent to 2,220.51.
Fears surrounding higher fuel costs sent airline stocks lower, with Asiana Airlines plunging as much as 6 percent. Korean Air Lines shed 1.4 percent and Jeju Air dropped 2 percent.
New Zealand shares hit a record high as a weak kiwi dollar helped lift exporters such as a2 Milk and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare.
The benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index rose 45.22 points or 0.45 percent to finish above the 10,000 level for the first time. Heavyweight a2 Milk rallied 2.4 percent while Fisher & Paykel Healthcare shares jumped 3.1 percent.
Overnight, U.S. stocks ended mixed as housing data disappointed and investors braced themselves for a deluge of earnings news.
The Dow dropped 0.2 percent, while the S&P 500 inched up 0.1 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite rose 0.2 percent.
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