Shares in Asia were mixed on Wednesday as investors awaited the European central bank’s interest rate decision later in the week.
In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 index leaped 205.66 points, or 1%, to 21,597.76.
Meanwhile, shares of Apple suppliers in Asia mostly rose on Wednesday following the unveiling of the Cupertino-based tech giant’s latest products on Tuesday.
Japanese component supplier Murata Manufacturing rose 2.3% and Sharp jumped 3.9%, while South Korea’s LG Display added 3.9% and Largan Precision in Taiwan gained 3.3%.
The Japanese yen, widely seen as a safe-haven currency, traded at 107.70 against the U.S. dollar following its weakening from levels around 106.8 earlier this week.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index ballooned 475.38 points, or 1.8%, to 27,159.06
Hong Kong-listed AAC Technologies was also up 1.3%, as of its final hour of trading. Mainland Chinese listed suppliers Luxshare fell, however, 3.6%, and Goertek, dropped 3%.
Investors also await the European Central Bank’s decision on interest rates on Thursday.
The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.6867 after rising from levels below $0.672 last week.
CHINA
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 dipped 29.16 points, or 0.7%, to 3,930.10
On the trade front, China’s Ministry of Finance announced that 16 American products will be exempted from additional tariffs. On Tuesday, the South China Morning Post reported that China has offered to increase U.S. agricultural purchases in exchange for a delay in tariffs and easing of a supply ban against telecommunications giant Huawei Technologies.
In other markets
In Korea, the Kospi index added 17.12 points, or 0.8%, to 2,049.20
In Taiwan, the Taiex index recovered 36.77 points, or 0.3%, to 10,790.35
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index vaulted 48.81 points, or 1.6%, to 3,204.52
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 slumped 217.70 points, or 2%, to 10,924.88
In Australia, the ASX 200 regained 23.98 points, or 0.4%, to 6,638.04
