Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed Thursday as China’s central bank kept interest rates steady, after the U.S. Federal Reserve kept benchmark rates unchanged overnight.
Markets in Japan were closed for holiday.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index went into a tailspin, dropping 551.19 points, or 2.2%, to 24,219.95.
CHINA
The CSI 300 in mainland China subtracted 35.18 points, or 0.9% to 3,974.99, after China kept its key lending rates unchanged as Beijing juggles propping up growth and stabilizing its currency amid mounting trade frictions.
The People’s Bank of China kept the one-year loan prime rate at 3.1% and the five-year LPR at 3.6%, where they have been since a quarter-percentage-point cut in October.
In other markets
In Taiwan, the Taiex index popped 416.43 points, or 1.9%, to 22,377.26.
In Singapore, the Straits Times index moved up 22.18 points, or 0.6%, to 3,930.49
In Korea, the Kospi added 8.48 points, or 0.3%, to 2,637.10
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 eked up 8.78 points, or 0.1%, to 12,084.72.
In Australia, the ASX 200 recovered 90.64 points, or 1.2%, to 7,918.89.
