Asia opens mixed but mostly higher

Asian stock indices opened the second session of the week mostly higher, with Japan, China, Hong Kong, and South Korea gaining ground, while Australia and New Zealand declined, as markets price in promises from the new US administration to expand the jobless benefits scheme, and as vaccination efforts spread around the globe. 

From Japan, average incomes fell 3.2% in December, compared to a1.8% drop in November,

The M2 money supply rose 9.4%, up from 9.1% in December, as machine tool orders rose 9.7% last month. 

From Australia, the current conditions index fell to 7 from 14, while New Zealand's two-year inflation estimates rose to 1.89% from 1.59%. 

Japan's TOPEX rose 0.04% to 1,924, while Nikkei 225 climbed 0.37% to 29,497. 

China's CSI 300 rose 1.39%, while Shanghai advanced 1.14% to 3,572. 

Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 0.10%, while South Korea's KOSPI climbed 0.51% to 3,106. 

New Zealand's NZX 50 fell 0.78%, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.57% to 6,841.