U.S. stock indices edged down on Monday amid declines in oil prices.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 23.90 points, or 0.1%, to 17,528.27 after an initial decline of 115 points. The S&P 500 declined 4.48 points, or 0.22%, to 2,056.50 (its energy sector fell 1.79%). The Nasdaq Composite fell by 7.51 points, or 0.2%, to 5,040.99.

Meanwhile data from the Federal Reserve showed that business activity of producers in Texas rose in December marking the third straight month of growth. The corresponding index rose to 13.4 from 5.2 in November. A reading above 0 points to growth. However the new orders sub-index declined at a faster pace in December falling to -8.9 points.

This morning in Asia Hong Kong Hang Seng climbed 0.30%, or 66.12, to 21,985.74. China Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.28%, or 9.79, to 3,523.99. The Nikkei gained 0.47%, or 88.55, to 18,961.90.

Asian stock indices outside mainland China advanced after suffering losses at the beginning of the session. Japanese exporters gained.