Asia-Pacific markets were mixed Wednesday after Wall Street surged overnight ahead of the U.S. presidential election results.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index barreled ahead 1,005.77 points, or 2.6%, to 39,480.67.
The Bank of Japan September monetary policy meeting minutes showed members were in agreement over the central bank raising rates if economic and price growth meets expectations.
Honda shares fell 6.5% Wednesday after the company reported that its operating profit fell nearly 15% to 257.9 billion yen ($1.68 billion) in the July-September quarter compared to the same period last year.
The company said its group sales decreased by 155,000 units in the first half of the fiscal year, chalking it up to a drop in sales in China.
Nintendo shares rose 5.6% after the videogame maker announced its next console will be compatible with current Switch games in its financial results and company policy briefing.
The news comes just a day after the company cut its forecast for Switch sales for the fiscal year ending March 2025 amid weak demand for its latest console.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index dumped 468.59 points, or 2.2%, to 20,538.38.
CHINA
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 subtracted 20.29 points, or 0.5%, to 4,024.28.
A five-day meeting of China’s National People’s Congress will continue on Wednesday, with investors watching for information on additional stimulus and polices aimed at stabilizing the economy.
In a meeting on Tuesday, the head of the People’s Bank of China said that the central bank planned to maintain supportive monetary policy, according to state media.
In other markets
In Taiwan, the Taiex hiked 110.59 points, or 0.5%, to 23,217.38.
In Korea, the Kospi index lost 13.37 points, or 0.5%, to 2,563.51.
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index gained 21.38 points, or 0.6%, at 3,602.99.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 dropped 9.14 points, or 0.1%, to 12,649.17
In Australia, the ASX 200 picked up 67.72 points, or 0.8%, to 8,199.55.
