Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Thursday as Wall Street saw a selloff after ratings agency Fitch downgraded the United States’ long-term credit rating from AAA to AA+.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index fell hard yet again, giving back 548,41 points, or 1.7%, to 32,159,28
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng lost 96.51 points, or 0.5%, to 19,420.87.
South Korean internet giant Kakao saw its second quarter net profit fall by 44%, prompting a slide in its shares before it recovered ground later in the day.
In Australia, markets slid as the country saw its June trade balance come in above expectations.
CHINA
In China, the CSI 300 regained 35.08 points, or 0.9%, to 4,004.98.
China’s Caixin survey for the services sector showed it expanded at a stronger pace in July compared to June.
In other markets
Markets in Taiwan were shuttered for holiday.
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index sank 20.96 points, or 0.6%, to 3,304.06.
In Korea, the Kospi Index retreated 11.08 points, or 0.4%, to 2,605.39.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 dipped 25.42 points, or 0.2%, to 11,936.62.
In Australia, ASX 200 fell 42.92 points, or 0.6%, to 7,311.68.
