Asian markets close broadly lower; Japan's Nikkei 225 closed for a holiday

Asian markets closed mostly lower due to continuing signs of economic constraint from the Covid-19 pandemic. South Korean Kospi saw another new fresh all-time high as it moved higher by over 3% in early trade but closed marginally lower at 3,148.45 down 3.73 points or 0.12%.

The Japanese Nikkei is closed for a holiday & other markets were flat to mildly negative seeing profit booking in early trade. Australian ASX 200 shed 60.7 points to end 0.9% lower. Markets in New Zealand, Thailand and Malaysia were also in the negative.

Chinese stocks declined amid US-China political tensions. Shanghai Composite closed 1.08% lower at 3,531.5 down 38.61 points. Shenzhen shed 203.91 points or 1.33% to close at 15,115.38.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was 0.09% higher and SGX Nifty gained 0.69% on Monday. Markets in Taiwan and Jakarta were also higher.

On Friday, US markets hit fresh new highs to end the week with all indices closing at all-time highs.