Investing.com - Shares in Tokyo and Shanghai gained on Monday in a light regional data day and with markets in Sydney and Hong Kong shut.
The Nikkei 225 rose 0.77%, while the Shanghai Composite gained 0.73% in holiday-thinned trade.
The yuan fell and is set for a sixth consecutive decline against the dollar Monday after the People's Bank of China set a weaker fixing for a third session at 6.5232 compared with 6.5223 - the weakest since 6.5284 March 4.
In the week ahead, investors will be awaiting Friday’s U.S. jobs report for March. The nonfarm payrolls report is viewed as the clearest indicator of how the U.S. economy is performing.
Wednesday’s euro zone inflation report will also be in focus and investors will be closely watching Friday’s data on Chinese manufacturing and service sector activity.
As well as Australia and Hong Kong, markets in London, Frankfurt, Paris and Milan will be closed for Easter Monday. Later on the day, the U.S. is to release reports on personal spending and pending home sales.
The stock market was closed in the U.S. on Good Friday.