Shares in Asia Pacific were mixed by the close on Thursday as the latest data showed China’s economy continued to recover. Investors will monitor oil prices after oil rigs and refineries were shut ahead of a massive hurricane approaching Texas and Louisiana.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 faltered 82 points, or 0.4%, to 23,208.86. The Japanese yen traded at 105.98 per dollar after strengthening yesterday from levels around 106.5 against the greenback.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng slumped 210.64 points, or 0.8%, to 25,281.15. Xiaomi shares rocketed nearly 12%. The mobile phone maker on Wednesday reported profit more than doubled in the second quarter, as it saw strong growth in its high-end smartphone business.
South Korea’s Kospi fell, as the country’s central bank kept its rates on hold on Thursday, but cut its 2020 Gross Domestic Product forecast, as it weighed concerns over rising house prices and the worsening coronavirus fallout.
Over in New Zealand, its stock exchange halted trading for the third day in a row following a cyber attack earlier in the week.
The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.7247 after rising yesterday from levels around $0.72.
CHINA
The CSI 300 regained 25.22 points, or 0.5%, to 4,731.35.
Data on Thursday showed that profits in China’s industrial sector grew 19.6% from last year, an increase from the 11.5% gain in June, as the country’s recovery from the pandemic continues.
In other markets
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index lost 22.27 points, or 0.9%, to 2.519.81.
In Korea, the Kospi backtracked 24.87 points, or 1.1%, to 2,344.45.
In Taiwan, the Taiex index sagged 35.98 points, or 0.3%, to 12,797.31.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 added 21.92 points, or 0.2%, to 12,053.43.
In Australia, the ASX 200 rebuilt 9.87 points, or 0.2%, to 6,126.23
