Hong Kong, Mainland Markets Gain On Oil Prices

Hong Kong shares ended the morning session in positive territory on Monday, tracking a surge on Wall Street, with energy firms rallying with oil prices.

The Hang Seng Index rose 0.5 percent, to 30,077 by the break.

On the mainland, the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index added 1.3 percent, to 3,131 while the Shenzhen Composite Index gained 1.8 percent, to 1,820.

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

Sydney was 0.5 percent higher. Wellington, Taipei, Jakarta and Manila were also well up.

But Tokyo ended the morning down 0.5 percent as traders returned following an extended holiday weekend, while Singapore was also lower.

Seoul was close for a public holiday.

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

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