Shares in the Asia-Pacific region were mostly higher on Thursday following the U.S. Federal Reserve’s decision to raise rates by 75 basis points to fight inflation, a move that was widely expected.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 gained 99.73 points, or 0.4%, to 27,815.48.
The Japanese yen strengthened to 135.45 per U.S. dollar, after weakening past the 137 level this week
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index lost 47.36 points, or 0.2%, to 20,622.68, following a Thursday rate hike by the central bank.
In Korea, Samsung’s second-quarter earnings were slightly improved from the “better than feared” earnings guidance early this month that led to a rally in chip stocks.
Operating profit rose to 14.1 trillion Korean won ($10.8 billion U.S.) compared to the 14 trillion Korean won estimated, while revenue increased to 77.2 trillion won.
Shares of the company were 0.16% higher at the close on Thursday.
In Asia, the Australian Bureau of Statistics released data showing that retail sales for June rose 0.2%. Economists polled by Reuters predicted that the report would show 0.5% growth, compared to 0.9% in May.
The Australian dollar was stronger at $0.70 as the U.S. dollar weakened.
In other markets
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 edged up 0.63 points to 4,225.67.
In Taiwan, the Taiex shed 29.69 points, or 0.2%, to 14,891.90.
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index added 15.31 points, or 0.5%, to 3,220.65
In Korea, the Kospi acquired 19.74 points, or 0.8%, to 2,435.27
In Australia, the ASX 200 jumped 66.51 points, or 1%, to 6,889.75
In New Zealand, the NZX leaped 193.16 points, or 1.7%, to 11,328.19.
