Asian Markets Mixed as Trading Resumes Asian markets were mixed Thursday as trading resumed in some countries following the Christmas break. Oil stayed above $99 per barrel. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 gained 0.9 percent to 16,154.37 as the yen weakened against the dollar, giving a possible boost to exporters. China's benchmark Shanghai Composite Index shed 1.3 percent to 2,078.96 as concern about a credit shortage in the Chinese interbank market faded. Taipei shares were up 0.3 percent at 8,490.93, and Seoul gained 0.1 percent to 2,003.66. Singapore and Manila also gained. India's Sensex gained 0.3 percent to 21,088.52. Markets in Hong Kong, Sydney and New Zealand were closed. In Europe, exchanges in Paris, London and Frankfurt also were closed. China's Cabinet expects this year's economic growth to be 7.6 percent, down slightly from 2012's 7.7 percent, the official Xinhua News Agency said. In foreign exchange markets, the dollar edged up to 104.68 yen. The euro was trading at $1.368. Crude oil for February delivery gained 29 cents to $99.51 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract rose 31 cents to settle at $99.22 the previous day.