Asian markets today, April 27 -- Asian markets largely traded higher on Monday, with investors brushing aside fresh diplomatic tensions between the US and Iran, even as rising Middle East unrest kept oil prices firm.

Japan's Nikkei 225 gained 0.53% to reach a record high, while South Korea's Kospi surged 1.5% to hit a new peak of 6,557.

Meanwhile, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.54%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index futures stood at 26,041, slightly above the previous close of 25,978.07.

Meanwhile, trends in the Gift Nifty index signalled a positive opening of the Indian stock market on Monday. The index was up 137 points or 0.57%, trading at 24,086 as compared to the previous close of 23,954.

"Indian equity markets are expected to rema...