Asian stocks close higher on Monday

Asian markets ended mostly higher on Monday, as traders shrugged off data released over the weekend that revived concerns over the Chinese economy. Japan's Nikkei 225 pared some of its over 1 percent gains from early morning to close up 54.19 points, or 0.33 percent, at 16,466.40, while across the Korean Strait, the Kospi ended near flat at 1,967.91. 

    In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index was up 0.58 percent as of 3:05 p.m. HK/SIN. Chinese mainland markets reversed their morning losses, with the Shanghai composite closing up 23.82 points, or 0.84 percent, at 2,850.93, and the Shenzhen composite ended higher by 30.69 points, or 1.72 percent, at 1,815.02. 

    Australia's ASX 200 finished up 29.91 points, or 0.56 percent, at 5,358.90, with a 0.57 percent gain in the financials sub-index which accounts for nearly half of the broader index. The dollar gained slightly against a basket of currencies, with the dollar index trading at 94.617 Monday afternoon in Asia, compared to the 93 levels it touched on Friday Asia time.