Here is how major stock markets outside the United States ended on Monday.
British retailers were in the spotlight with bookseller WH Smith jumping 34.5 percent after saying it had received a preliminary bid approach from a private equity firm.
Fellow retailer Marks & Spencer also rose, up 4.5 percent after a media report said prospective bidders had been circulating the firm after its disappointing results last week.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index gained 15.8 points, or 0.46 percent, to close at 3,433.1.
The All-share index closed at 10,705.81 points, down 51.35 or 0.48 percent.
The All Gold index closed at 2,036.22 points, down 6.13 or 0.30 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 7,481.64 points, down 4.44 or 0.06 percent.