SINGAPORE — Shares in Asia-Pacific were mixed in Wednesday morning trade, ahead of the release of Australia’s gross domestic product print for the first quarter.
The Nikkei 225 in Japan slipped 0.7% in morning trade while the Topix index shed 0.33%. In South Korea, the Kospi rose about 0.1%.
Meanwhile, Australian stocks advanced, with the S&P/ASX 200 up 0.26%. Australia’s gross domestic product for the first quarter is expected to be out at 9:30 a.m. HK/SIN.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan traded little changed.
In corporate developments, shares of Japan’s Toyota and Honda rose 0.58% and 2.5%, respectively. Those gains came despite reports that the automakers have temporarily suspended production in Malaysia due to country’s lockdown, which started Tuesday.
Overnight stateside, stocks saw a muted start for June. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged 45.86 points higher to 34,575.31 while the S&P 500 dipped fractionally to 4,202.04. The Nasdaq Composite declined nearly 0.1% on the day to 13,736.48.
Currencies and oil
The U.S. dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of its peers, was at 89.904 — weaker than levels above 90 seen earlier this week.
The Japanese yen traded at 109.51 per dollar, stronger than levels around 109.6 seen against the greenback yesterday. The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.7759, stronger than levels below $0.772 seen earlier this week.
Oil prices were higher in the morning of Asia trading hours, with international benchmark Brent crude futures up 0.57% to $70.65 per barrel. U.S. crude futures advanced 0.46% to $68.03 per barrel.
Here’s a look at what’s on tap:
- Australia: First quarter gross domestic product print at 9:30 a.m. HK/SIN
Source: CNBC