Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index climbed 1.8% to 40,285.25, as shares in automakers and other major exporters rose. A weak yen boosts profits for exporters and companies with big operations overseas when they convert their earnings into yen.

World shares are mixed after U.S. stocks capped a mostly dismal week with a broad rally. Shares prices of Honda and Nissan jumped as the companies prepared to hold a news conference later Monday on a possible merger between Japan's second and third-largest automakers.

BANGKOK — (AP) — Shares mostly gained in Asia on Monday after U.S. stocks capped a mostly dismal week with a broad rally that still left the benchmark S&P 500 down 2% for the week. U.S. futures and oil prices advanced.

Shares are lower in Tokyo and Shanghai, two of only a handful of world markets open on Christmas day. Oil prices rose.

Asian Shares Advance After a Mixed Finish on Wall Street BANGKOK (AP) — Asian shares were mostly higher on Friday, with Japan’s benchmark registering strong gains for a second straight day. Oil prices and U.

Stocks fell in morning trading Friday as Wall Street closes out a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 fell 1%. The benchmark index is still on track for a 0.8% gain for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 191 points,

Asian shares were mostly higher Thursday in thin post-Christmas holiday trading, while oil prices rose. Japan’s Nikkei 225 index surged 0.8% to 39,449.55, on strong gains in retailers and tourism-related stocks after Japan agreed to ease visa conditions for Chinese tourists.

Stocks fell in morning trading Friday as Wall Street closes out a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 fell 1.4%, with more than 80% of stocks in the benchmark index losing ground. Still, the index is managing to hold onto a modest gain for the week.