Stocks in Asia were mixed on Friday as investors watched yields on longer duration U.S. Treasurys as well as for developments on the U.S.-China trade front.
In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 index gained back 13.16 points, or 0.1%, Friday to 20,418.81
The Japanese yen traded at 106.15 against the dollar after a volatile session yesterday that saw seeing highs below 106.0.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index leaped 238.76 points, or 0.9%, to 25,734.22. Hong Kong-listed shares of Ping An Insurance Group jumped 2.52% after the company announced its strongest first-half profit growth in a over a decade on Thursday.
Korean markets slumped, as shares of chipmaker SK Hynix fell 0.7% and LG Chem shed 1.1%.
The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.6788 after rising from levels around $0.675 in the previous session.
CHINA
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 added 16.54 points, or 0.5%, to 3,710.54
Meanwhile, investors also monitored developments on the U.S.-China trade front. A spokesperson from China’s foreign ministry said Thursday that Beijing hopes the "U.S. side will meet China halfway" on trade issues.
On Friday, the People’s Bank of China set the official midpoint reference for the yuan at 7.0312 per U.S. dollar, weaker than expectations of 7.0306 against the greenback.
The onshore yuan was last at 7.0424 against the greenback, while its offshore counterpart traded at 7.0524 per dollar.
In other markets
In Korea, the Kospi index returned from holiday to lose 11.2 points, or 0.6%, to 1,927.17
In Taiwan, the Taiex regained 93.76 points, or 0.9%, to 10,420.89
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index fell 11.06 points, or 0.4%, to 3,115.03
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 slumped 48.74 points, or 0.5%, to 10,635.36
In Australia, the ASX 200 dropped 2.57 points to 6,405.53
