Asia markets closed mixed on Wednesday, with technology shares gaining after Apple earnings and as investors digested Asia corporate results.
The Nikkei 225 gained 94.25 points, or 0.5%, to 20,080.04
The Hang Seng Index tacked on 67.15 points, or 0.2%, to 27,607.38
Australian markets tailed off Wednesday. Moderate gains in the industrials sub-index were offset by falls in the energy, materials and financials sub-indexes.
Shares of semiconductor maker SK Hynix jumped 3.8% LG Display rose 1.8% and LG Innotek soared 10.4% by the end of the session.
Stocks of Taiwan's Apple suppliers also bounced. Camera lens supplier Largan Precision rose 4.8%, iPhone assembler Hon Hai advanced 1.7% and Taiwan Semiconductor was up 1.9%
Hong Kong-listed Macau gaming stocks were also in focus after the Asian gaming hub said gross gaming revenues (GGR) rose 29% on-year in July
The growth in GGR topped Nomura estimates of 28% growth on-year, but fell below more bullish forecasts of a 30% rise, Nomura analysts said in an Aug. 1 note. Growth in GGR is expected to decelerate through year-end
The sector traded lower, with SJM Holdings leading the losses after announcing a 12.9% fall in profit in its first half. SJM's stock was down 6.6%. Other players in the space were also pressured: Melco International Development slid 2.1% and Wynn Macau was off 1.8% on the day.
Other market movers included Japan's Honda and Sony. Both companies reported first-quarter results after the market close Tuesday, with Honda topping earnings expectations and Sony announcing record profit. Honda shares soared 3.5% and Sony declined 1.9%.
On the earnings front, miner Rio Tinto announced its first-half profit more than doubled on-year due to a rise in iron ore prices. The company's first-half profit came in at $3.94 billion U.S,, but remained below the $4.19 billion U.S. forecast
In other markets
The CSI 300 dropped 9.53 points, or 0.3%, to 3,760.85
In Taiwan, the Taiex index added 81.98 points, or 0.8%, to 10,519.27
In Korea, the Kospi index increased 4.67 points, or 0.2%, to 2,427.63
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index moved higher 10.6 points, or 0.3%, to 3,348.80
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 improved 18.87 points, or 0.2%, to 7,748.31
In Australia, the ASX 200 declined 28.17 points, or 0.5%, to 5,744.20
