Asian stocks gain in thin trade as US rate hike looms

Asian stocks mostly gained on Tuesday and the dollar eased, as traders weighed the fallout from a likely US interest rate rise this summer. Shares in Shanghai surged, while Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seoul rose in opening deals, but trade was muted after Wall Street and London equity markets were closed for public holidays. Tokyo led Asian stocks higher on Monday, closing above 17,000 points for the first time in a month, after the yen plummeted against the strengthening dollar.