Stocks in Asia-Pacific were mixed in Thursday trading, as shares in Indonesian and China markets fell.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was 0.17% higher. Shares of Yum China slipped more than 3% from their issue price following the stock’s debut in the city.
The Nikkei 225 in Japan rose 0.88% to close at 23,235.47 while the Topix index advanced 1.21% to end its trading day at 1,624.86.
South Korea’s Kospi gained 0.88%. Shares of Kakao Games soared on their debut in South Korea, last sitting at more than double their issue price.
Shares in Australia also advanced on the day, with the S&P/ASX 200 up 0.51% to 5,908.50.
Mainland Chinese stocks were lower in afternoon trading, with the Shanghai composite down 0.22% while the Shenzhen component slid 0.459%. The Nasdaq-style ChiNext dropped 4.083%.
In Southeast Asia, the Jakarta Composite in Indonesia plunged about 5% following a temporary trading halt triggered earlier. That came after the country’s capital announced plans to reinstate a partial coronavirus lockdown.
Overall, the MSCI Asia ex-Japan index edged 0.6% higher.
Investor reaction to the overnight jump on Wall Street was watched. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 439.58 points higher, or 1.6%, at 27,940.47. The S&P 500 jumped 2% to 3,398.96 and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 2.7% to 11,141.56.
Later on Thursday, the European Central Bank (ECB) is expected to announce its interest rate decision as well as monetary policy statement at around 7:45 p.m. HK/SIN.
“The ECB is expected to make no policy changes and reiterate it stands ready to adjust all of its instruments, as appropriate, at its policy meeting,” Joseph Capurso, head of international economics at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, wrote in a morning note.
On the economic data front, the U.S. Labor Department’s weekly jobless claims report is also expected at about 8:30 p.m. HK/SIN. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones expect 850,000 new claims, down from last week’s 881,000.
Currencies and oil
The U.S. dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of its peers, was last at 93.067 following an earlier high of 93.281.
The Japanese yen traded at 106.14 per dollar after weakening from levels below 105.9 against the greenback yesterday. The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.728 following an earlier high of $0.7286.
Oil prices were higher in the afternoon of Asian trading hours, with international benchmark Brent crude futures up 0.25% to $40.89 per barrel. U.S. crude futures also gained 0.16% to $38.11 per barrel.
Here’s a look at what’s on tap:
- Europe: European Central Bank’s interest rate decision and monetary policy statement at 7:45 p.m. HK/SIN
- U.S.: Labor Department’s weekly jobless claims report at 8:30 p.m. HK/SIN
Source: CNBC