TOKYO – Asian shares were mostly higher in muted trading Monday, ahead of the first U.S. presidential debate and a national holiday in China later in the week.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 0.7% to 23,371.70, while South Korea's Kospi added 1.5% to 2,312.96. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 gained nearly 0.2% to 5,973.70.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 0.5% to 23,349.80, while the Shanghai Composite index was little changed at 3,217.87. China is celebrating Mid-Autumn Day Oct.
1, followed by a weeklong holiday through Oct. 8. China's statistical bureau reported Sunday that industrial profits rose 19% in August from a year earlier, as the economy recovered from the pandemic downturn.