HONG KONG/LONDON — Major Asian markets mostly rose Tuesday, with Hong Kong and Shanghai leading the way, while Tokyo marked an eighth straight gain to a 15-year high.
Hong Kong added 0.92%, or 257.03 points, to 28,249.86 -- its highest close since December 2007 -- and Shanghai jumped 2.02%, or 97.10 points, to 4,910.90 -- the highest since January 2008.
The indexes were boosted by hopes for fresh Chinese measures to boost the economy as well as Beijing's decision Friday to relax rules on access to mainland financial markets.
Manila closed 0.43%, or 33.03 points, lower at 7,728.50 but Jakarta ended up 0.62%, or 32.54 points, at 5,320.90.
Singapore fell 0.03%, or 0.87 points, to close at 3,459.98 and Kuala Lumpur fell 3.31 points, or 0.19%, to close at 1,764.07.
Taipei rose 0.25%, or 24.24 points, to 9,669.41 and Tokyo ended up 0.12%, or 23.71 points, at 20,437.48 helped by a weaker yen, hopes for corporate earnings and the Bank of Japan's ultra-loose monetary policy.
Sydney gained 0.91%, or 51.9 points, to close at 5,773.4. But Seoul slipped 0.12%, or 2.60 points, to 2,143.50.
In Europe, stock markets firmed at the start of trading, as many markets including London and Frankfurt reopened after a long holiday weekend.
London's benchmark FTSE 100 index added 0.01% to 7,032.54 points and Frankfurt's DAX 30 won 0.22% to 11,841.48 compared with Friday's closing levels.
In Paris, the CAC 40 in Paris gained 0.11% to 5,122.87 compared with the close on Monday, when the market was open and finished 0.5% lower.
"After its gradual progress last week, the FTSE returned from its bank holiday weekend looking a bit sleepy as it opened flat this Tuesday," noted Spreadex trader Connor Campbell.
"The FTSE will likely have to contend with the ongoing Greek situation in the eurozone, something that always seems to dominate on the days of little data."
Traders are awaiting the release of key US data this week, including revised economic growth for the first quarter and durable goods orders.
The results will provide more of a clue about the Federal Reserve's timetable for raising interest rates. The central bank's chief Janet Yellen said Friday she expects a rise "at some point this year" although she warned there were still weaknesses in the economy.