A trader walks the floor of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange as share prices are flashed above on January 2, 2013. Hong Kong shares ended 2.89 percent higher after the US Congress approved a deal to avert the 'fiscal cliff' of tax rises and spending cuts, with the benchmark Hang Seng Index rising 655.06 points to close at 23,311.98. AFP PHOTO / Antony DICKSON (Photo credit should read ANTONY DICKSON/AFP/Getty Images)
BANGKOK (AP) - Stock markets in Hong Kong, mainland China and Seoul were among those closed Monday for the Lunar New Year holiday. Japanese markets were also shut for a public holiday.
Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was marginally higher at 4,973.20, with a positive earnings report from retailer HB Hi-Fi Ltd. helping to boost retail stocks. JB Hi-Fi surged 15.4 percent after reporting its first half net profit had risen 3 percent to 82 million Australian dollars ($84.6 million). David Jones rose 3.6 percent and Myer Holdings added 3.1 percent.
Key stock indexes in the Philippines and Indonesia also rose while markets in Singapore, Taiwan and Vietnam were closed for holidays.
Benchmark oil for March delivery rose 5 cents to $95.77 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract fell 11 cents on the Nymex on Friday to close at $95.72 a barrel.
In currencies, the euro rose to $1.3372 from $1.3363 late Friday in New York. The dollar fell to 92.51 from 92.83 yen.
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