2018.02.1902:27:00UTC+00Asian Markets Extends Global Rally

Asian indexes mostly advanced on Monday after Wall Street extended its winning streak to six days on Friday and as sentiment improved gradually from a recent jolt in equity markets stemming from inflation concerns and higher interest rates.

Japan's Nikkei 225 increased 1.72 percent while the Topix index traded up 1.89 percent. South Korea's Kospi index advanced 0.91 percent. The yen traded at 106.43 to the dollar.

In Australia, the ASX 200 pared earlier losses to trade 0.66 percent higher. The financial subindex advanced 0.56 percent while the energy sector edged down 0.91 percent. The materials subindex reversed losses to recover by 0.21 percent.

Markets in the Greater China region continue to be closed for the Lunar New Year holiday.

Major indexes in the U.S. closed off their session highs after news that special counsel Robert Mueller in the Russian collusion probe has indicted 13 Russian nationals and three Russian entities for allegedly influencing the result of the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The U.S. market will be closed on Monday in celebration of Presidents Day.