Asian markets were mixed Monday, AP reported. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index edged 0.2 percent higher to 27,990.21. Japan's Nikkei 225 index advanced 0.5 percent to 20,883.77 and Australia's S&P ASX 200 gained 0.5 percent to 5,891.20. New Zealand's NZX index shed 0.2 percent to 9,747.69. India's Sensex was down 0.5 percent at 36,298.89. Shares rose in Thailand but fell in Singapore and the Philippines. Benchmark U.S. crude fell 8 cents to $55.18 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It added $1.47 to settle at $55.26 per barrel on Friday. Brent crude, used to price international oils, was up 2 cents at $62.77 per barrel. The contract gained $1.91 to $62.75 per barrel in London. The dollar strengthened to 109.75 yen from 109.50 yen late Friday. The euro eased to $1.1445 from $1.1447.
