BEIJING (AP) — Asian stocks rose Monday while European benchmarks declined amid expectations central banks might ease monetary policy following Britain's vote to leave the European Union. KEEPING SCORE: Germany's DAX lost 0.1 percent in early trading to 9,763.82 and France's CAC 40 shed 0.1 percent to 4,267.65. Britain's FTSE 100 was down slightly at 6,575.52. On Friday, the FTSE 100 rose 1.1 percent, the DAX gained 1 percent and the CAC 40 added 0.9 percent. U.S. markets were closed Monday for a holiday. ASIA'S DAY: The Shanghai Composite Index rose 1.9 percent to 2,988.60 and Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 1.3 percent to 21,059.20. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 advanced 0.6 percent to 15,775.80 and Sydney's S&P-ASX 200 gained 0.7 percent to 5,281.80. Seoul's Kospi added 0.4 percent to 1,995.30 and India's Sensex advanced 0.6 percent to 27,313.16. Benchmarks in Taiwan, Singapore and New Zealand also advanced. POST-BREXIT EASING: Investor sentiment was boosted by expectations the Bank of England and European Central Bank might ease monetary policy to shore up flagging growth following Britain's vote and the U.S. Federal Reserve might postpone a rate hike. The top British central banker, Mark Carney, said last week that easing "will likely be required over the summer" because the economic outlook has deteriorated. ANALYST'S TAKE: "Prospects that central banks (BoE and ECB) will unleash fresh stimulus in coming months are providing some relief in markets," Mizuho Bank said in a report. "It is also perceived that the Fed will either delay its rate hike to Q3/Q4 or not hike policy rate at all this year." EUROPEAN JITTERS: Bank stocks in Europe weighed on the market amid concern profits will be hurt by financial jitters and possible weaker economic growth. Earnings also are expected to suffer if central banks keep interest rates low for longer. Shares in Italian banks in particular are suffering because of concern about bad loans. WALL STREET: U.S. stock indexes ended a turbulent week up 3 percent, coming close to regaining the ground they lost following Britain's EU vote. It was the market's biggest weekly gain since November. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 0.1 percent, the Standard & Poor's 500 index added 0.2 percent and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.4 percent. AUSTRALIAN ELECTIONS: Close election results left Australia with the possibility of a hung Parliament. Vote counting was due to resume Tuesday and political analysts said it could be two weeks or more before a result is announced. "Markets will be concerned by the potential for a period of policy paralysis when it comes to budget and economic reform," Ric Spooner of CMC Markets said in a report. ENERGY: Benchmark U.S. crude added 10 cents to $49.10 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract gained 66 cents on Friday to close at $48.99. Brent crude, used to price international oils, advanced 18 cents to $50.53 in London. It rose 64 cents the previous session to $50.35.

Source