SINGAPORE — Shares in Asia-Pacific were mostly higher in Friday morning trade as investors monitored moves in the commodities space.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 gained 0.26% while the Topix index slipped 0.24%. South Korea’s Kospi traded fractionally higher.
Mainland Chinese stocks were mixed in morning trade, with the Shanghai composite fractionally lower while the Shenzhen component gained 0.833%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index traded 0.72% higher.
The S&P/ASX 200 in Australia advanced 0.46%.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan traded 0.22% higher.
Looking ahead, the Bank of Japan is expected to release its statement on monetary policy on Friday, including its interest rate decision.
Commodities watch
Investors watched for market moves in the commodities sector after a recent tumble in prices.
Shares of major Australian miners were mixed: Rio Tinto declined 0.34% and BHP dropped 1.53%, while Fortescue Metals Group advanced 0.13%.
Oil prices were lower in the morning of Asia trading hours, adding to losses seen Thursday. International benchmark Brent crude futures slipped 0.47% to $72.74 per barrel. U.S. crude futures declined 0.41% to $70.75 per barrel.
Meanwhile, spot gold rose 0.59% to $1,783.76 per ounce, after seeing sharp declines earlier this week.
Overnight on Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 210.22 points to 33,823.45 while the S&P 500 slipped fractionally to 4,221.86. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.87% to 14,161.35.
Currencies
The U.S. dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of its peers, was at 91.904 following a recent climb from below 91.
The Japanese yen traded at 110.27 per dollar, stronger than levels above 110.5 against the greenback seen yesterday. The Australian dollar was at $0.7554 as it struggles to recover after declining from above $0.768 earlier this week.
Here’s a look at what’s on tap:
- Japan: Bank of Japan releases monetary policy statement
Source: CNBC