Asia-Pacific shares traded mostly higher as investors looked ahead to the U.S. consumer price index, which would set the Federal Reserve’s trajectory in its attempt to tackle inflation after raising rates seven times in 2022.
The Nikkei 225 gained 270.44, or 1%, to 26,446.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng recovered 104.59 points, or 0.5%, to 21,436,05.
Korean markets moved slightly upward even as South Korea’s unemployment rate for December rose to 3.3% compared to November’s 2.9%, marking the highest in 11 months.
South Korea listed stocks of LG Display fell 3.35% in its afternoon trade shortly after the report, while Samsung Electronics traded 0.17% higher. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. also traded 0.41% lower.
Australian markets vaulted, as the country’s consumer price index rose 7.3% year-on-year in November, a sign that inflationary pressures have yet to slow.
CHINA
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 eased off 7.44 points, or 0.2%, to 4,010.03.
Shenzhen-listed shares of BOE Technology Group, or Jingdongfang, rose more than 1% as Reuters reported that the Apple supplier is planning invest a substantial sum to build new factories in Vietnam.
In other markets
In Taiwan, the Taiex faded 51.52 points, or 0.4%, to 14,751.44.
In Korea, the Kospi index eked up 8.22 points, or 0.4%, to 2,359.53.
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index regained 8.6 points, or 0.3%, to 3,271.51.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 slid 28.27 points, or 0.2%, to 11,636.99.
In Australia, the ASX 200 gained 64.34 points, or 0.9%, to 7,195.34.
