Stocks in Asia Pacific were mixed on Wednesday as concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic continued to linger.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index deleted 176.04 points, or 0.8%, to 22,438.65.
The Japanese yen traded at 107.44 per U.S. dollar after seesawing between levels below 107.4 and above 107.7 against the greenback yesterday.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index restored 153.52 points, or 0.6%, to 26,129.18.
A World Health Organization official said Tuesday that it shouldn’t “be a surprise” if coronavirus deaths start to rise again. Reported COVID-19 cases globally accelerated in June while the death toll has been falling. WHO officials warn that that there’s a lag between rising cases and increasing deaths. It takes weeks after contracting the virus to fall seriously ill and potentially die from the coronavirus.
Cases have recently spiked stateside with Texas reporting more than 10,000 additional COVID-19 cases Tuesday — a record-breaking daily surge.
In Asia Pacific, a recent uptick in cases in parts of Australia has prompted officials in Victoria state to impose stay-at-home restrictions in areas such as metropolitan Melbourne for six weeks.
The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.6945 after touching levels around $0.693 yesterday.
CHINA
Mainland Chinese stocks built on the solid run they’ve had so far this week as they led gains in the region for yet another day.
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 gained 75.87 points, or 1.6%, to 4,774.
Stocks in mainland China have seen a strong surge so far this week, with the Shanghai composite soaring nearly 6% on Monday. That came after the state-owned China Securities Journal said investors should look forward to the “wealth effect of the capital markets” and the prospect for a "healthy bull market."
In other markets
In Korea, the Kospi dipped 5.29 points, or 0.2%, to 2,158.88
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index recovered 8.07 points, or 0.3%, to 2,669.49
In Taiwan, the Taiex index restocked 77.22 points, or 0.6%, to 12,170.19
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 moved lower 36.46 points, or 0.3%, to 11,707.27.
In Australia, the ASX 200 dropped 92.69 points, or 1.5%, to 5,920.30.
