Asia markets closed mixed on Tuesday as most major exchanges outside of Japan and Australia resumed after being shut for a public holiday on Monday.
The Nikkei 225 in Japan gained 135.18 points, or 0.7%, to 19,310.52
The Hang Seng Index returned from the May Day holiday to jump 81 points, or 0.3%, to 24,696.13
Among currency majors, the yen traded at 112.09 U.S. late Tuesday afternoon. Major Japanese exporters were mixed, with Toyota gaining 1.7%, Nissan up 1.1% and Mitsubishi Electric was down 0.2%. Sony shares declined 0.5%.
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) kept its benchmark cash rate unchanged at a record low of 1.5%, largely in line with market expectations. Governor Philip Lowe said in the policy statement that conditions in the house market continue to vary considerable around the country.
The Australian dollar traded as high as $0.7555 against the U.S. dollar after the decision, before easing slightly to $0.7528 by late afternoon local time. The Aussie climbed from levels below $0.75 U.S. on Monday.
Bank earnings were also on investors' radar today.
The Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) reported 2017 half year results before market open. ANZ said its cash profit rose 23% to 3.41 billion Australian dollars ($2.57 billion U.S.) in the six months ended March 31, 2017. ANZ shares closed down 2.1%.
The other major Australian banks also fell; shares of Commonwealth Bank dropped 0.7% Westpac was down 0.9% and the National Australia Bank was lower by 0.2%.
Meanwhile, Singapore's top lender, DBS Group, reported that first quarter net interest income came in nearly flat at 1.831 billion Singapore dollars ($1.31 billion U.S.), down slightly from S$1.833 billion a year ago. DBS shares rose 2.3% in afternoon trade, while competitors OCBC also rose 1.8% and UOB was up by 3.6%
In other markets
Shanghai’s CSI 300 docked 13.17 points, or 0.4%, to 3,426.58
In Korea, the Kospi index moved forward 14.23 points, or 0.7%, 2,219.67
In Taiwan, the Taiex Index leaped 69.27 points, or 0.7%, to 9,941.27
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index soared 35.67 points, or 1.1%, to 3,211.11
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 gained 40.27 points, or 0.6%, to 7,422.49
In Australia, the ASX 200 subtracted 6.16 points, or 0.1%, to 5,950.37
