Asian shares boosted by stronger China factory data

A woman walking past a bank's electronic board showing the Hong Kong share index at Hong Kong Stock Exchange Monday (Nov 2, 2020). Asian shares were mostly higher Monday, buoyed by profit-taking after earlier dips and optimism over strong data on Chinese manufacturing. - AP

TOKYO, Nov 2 (AP): Asian shares were mostly higher on Monday buoyed by further signs of recovery in China's manufacturing sector.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 surged 1.4% to 23,295.48, while South Korea's Kospi gained 1.4% to 2,299.72. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 added 0.4% to 5,951.30. Hong Kong's Hang Seng jumped 1.2% to 24,386.10, while the Shanghai Composite inched less than 0.1% lower to 3,222.77.