Stocks in Tokyo rose for the fourth consecutive session on Monday on hopes that a new government will result in more monetary easing.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 index closed up 129 points at 9,153 while the broader Topix climbed 1.4% to settle at 762 points. The Hang Seng advanced 103 points at 21,262 in Hong Kong.

Japan's Liberal Democratic Party leader Shinzo Abe, who has said he wants to stimulate the ailing economy, is widely expected to be voted the country's next leader.

Key Japanese exporters enjoyed some of the day's biggest gains with car giant Toyota Motor logging a 1.5% gain. Peer Nissan Motor was up 2.3% while Honda Motor added 0.4%.

Canon also recovered ground while robot maker Fanuc Corp bounced 3.2% after Deutsche Securities lifted the group's rating to 'hold' from 'sell'.

Elsewhere Japan Tobacco surged 6% after the Ministry of Finance confirmed it would not sell shares in the firm before the end of December.

Energy stocks in Hong Kong made headway on Monday as crude oil prices rose on concern about escalating tensions between Israel and Palestine. PetroChina gained 1%, Sinopec beefed up 1.6% while Cnooc rose 0.13%

Meanwhile Ping An Insurance fell 1.9% on news that HSBC is in talks about the sale of its 15.6% holding in the insurer. Shares of heavyweight HSBC gained 1.22%.

Other gainers included Li & Fung which rose 1.2% while shoe retailer Belle International added 1.23%.

Property firms received a boost after data showed Chinese property prices increased in 35 of the country's 70 main cities last month.

Shares of Sun Hung Kai Properties proved the exception however after the group went ex-dividend. Its shares fell 3% in Hong Kong.


CJ

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