World shares mostly gain, as Tokyo’s Nikkei hits a record high, and oil prices climb

World shares advanced yesterday, with Tokyo’s benchmark setting another record, while U.S. futures edged lower. The prices of oil and precious metals also climbed.

Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 gained 1.3% to surpass the record it set in late October, closing at 52,518.08. South Korea’s Kospi also pushed further into record territory, gaining 1.5% to 4,525.98, buoyed by gains for automakers and some electronics manufacturers.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng surged 1.4% to 26,710.45, and the Shanghai Composite index was up 1.5% at 4,083.67, its highest level in four years.

In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.5% to 8,682.80.

Taiwan’s Taiex climbed 1.6%, while in India, the Sensex shed 0.5%.

This week will bring reports on the U.S. jobs market, including updates on job openings and overall employment.

Monday’s gains on Wall Street were broad, with particularly big jumps for energy companies and banks. Elsewhere, industrial companies and retailers joined in to help boost major indexes.

The S&P 500 rose 0.6%, ending just below its record set in late December. The Dow set a record, adding 1.2% to 48,977.18.

On Monday, prices for U.S. crude and Brent crude, the international standard, gained 1.7%.