Asian markets were mostly higher on Thursday, AP reported. Japan's Nikkei 225 erased earlier gains to finished 0.6 percent lower at 22,783.98. But South Korea's Kospi surged 1.3 percent to 2,467.49 on its final trading day this year. The benchmark index in Seoul gained 22 percent in 2017. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose 0.8 percent to 29,825.09. China's Shanghai Composite Index advanced 0.6 percent to 3,296.38. In Australia, S&P/ASX 200 added 0.3 percent to 6,289.12. Stocks in Singapore and other Southeast Asian countries were also higher. Benchmark U.S. crude added 15 cents to $59.79 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract dropped 33 cents to settle at $59.64 a barrel on Wednesday. Brent crude, which is used to price international oils, gained 24 cents to $66.23 per barrel in London. The dollar weakened to 112.68 yen from 113.23 yen. The euro strengthened to $1.1935 from $1.1897.
