Stocks in Asia were mixed on Tuesday amid concerns over the state of U.S.-China trade negotiations.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 lost 124.11 points, or 0.5%, to 23,292.65, with shares of index heavyweight and robot maker Fanuc dropping 1.%%
The Japanese yen traded at 108.63 against the dollar after strengthening from levels above 108.8 in the previous session.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index leaped 412.71 points, or 1.6%, to 27,093.80, with shares of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing surging beyond 2%.
Markets in Australia advanced. Minutes from the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) November meeting, where the central bank had kept the cash rate unchanged at 0.75%, were released earlier on Tuesday.
The RBA Board also “discussed the possibility that a further reduction in interest rates could have a different effect on confidence than in the past, when interest rates were at higher levels.” The Australian central bank has cut interest rates three times so far in 2019.
The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.6798 following highs above $0.681 seen yesterday.
CHINA
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 vaulted 39.11 points, or 1%, to 3,947.04
Investor reaction to overnight developments around U.S.-China trade talks will be watched. Media reports surfaced that Beijing is pessimistic about the trade deal. China is concerned after U.S. President Donald Trump said there would be no tariff rollback, Beijing had thought both parties had agreed in principle.
In other markets
In Taiwan, the Taiex surged 56.62 points, or 0.5%, to 11,656.40
In Korea, the Kospi dropped 7.45 points, or 0.3%, to 2,153.24
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index slumped 19.79 points, or 0.6%, to 3,238.87
In Australia, the ASX 200 regained 47.4 points, or 0.7%, to 6,814.22
In New Zealand, the NZX resurfaced 19.08 points, or 0.2%, to 10,892.24
