Asia Pacific traded mixed on Thursday as markets in the Greater China region struggled for gains, while South Korea remained shut for a public holiday.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 eased 2.06 points to 20,774.04,
The Japanese yen, considered a safe haven asset, traded at 108.18 to the U.S. dollar, strengthening from levels near 109.90 last week.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng gained 69.84 points, or 0.3 %, to 26,965.28.
Australia poked higher as most sectors traded up. The heavily weighted financial sub-index rose 0.6% as major banking stocks gained.
Analysts said that markets were already beginning to price in the possibility of rate cuts after Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the U.S. central bank will keep an eye on developments in the domestic economy, and would do what it must to “sustain the expansion. ”
In other markets
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 index dropped 32.42 points, or 0.9%, to 3,564.18
Markets in Korea were shuttered for holiday
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index returned after a holiday to gain 3.81 points, or 0.1%, to 3,146.18
In Taiwan, the Taiex Index dropped 52.42 points, or 0.5%, to 10,409.20
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 strengthened 30.94 points, or 0.3%, to 9.987
In Australia, the ASX 200 jumped 24.48 points, or 0.4%, to 6,383
