Asian markets mixed as investors buy-up yen assets

Asian markets enjoyed a mixed trading session at the start of the week, oscillating between gains and losses as the latest relief rally comes under pressure.

Soft economic data from the US last week lifted shares as investors speculated any removal of the Federal Reserve's stimulus package may be delayed. However, having provided a boost last week, a rudderless market failed to get going overnight in Asia on Monday. Japan's Nikkei rose by 0.05% to 15,325 while the Shanghai Stock Exchange rose by 0.3% to 2,233. However, the Hong Kong Hang Seng index saw a fall of 0.3% down to 24,874. Analysts pinned the poor readings on the continued turmoil in Ukraine which is boosting the demand for safe-haven assets such as the yen but limiting the ap...