Major Asia Pacific stocks ended mixed on Monday — the last full trading day of the year for several major markets in the region.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 lost 181.1 points, or 0.8%, to 23,656.62.
Autos lost ground across the board, with Honda down 1.2%, Mitsubishi falling 1.3%, and Suzuki declining 1%. Other sectors, such as manufacturing and retail, also saw declines.
The Japanese yen changed little against the U.S. dollar, trading at 109.11.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index gained 93.97 points, or 0.3%, to 28.319.39.
The city’s trade data for November is set to be released on Monday afternoon, amid ongoing pro-democracy protests that have taken a toll on its economy.
Meanwhile, Chinese private university operator Shanghai Gench Education Group is planning to list in Hong Kong, according to an application filed to the Hong Kong exchange over the weekend. It didn’t state the timing of the IPO.
Korea slipped, as heavyweights declined, with Samsung Electronics losing 1.2%, and SK Hynix dropping 2%.
In corporate news, Singapore’s largest telco Singtel announced it’s partnering with ride-hailing firm Grab to apply for a digital banking license in Singapore, according to a joint statement by both companies on Monday.
Australian markets surrendered gains. Major miners fell, with Fortescue Metals down more than 1% and Rio Tinto declining 0.9%.
The Australian dollar fetched $0.6989, strengthening from an earlier low of 0.6965.
CHINA
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 regained 59.6 points, or 1.5%, to 4,081.63
China’s central bank over the weekend said that it will use the loan prime rate as a new benchmark for pricing current floating-rate loans, a move that analysts said would cut borrowing costs and give the economy a boost.
In other markets
In Taiwan, the Taiex sank 38.22 points, or 0.3%, to 12,053.37
In Korea, the Kospi subtracted 6.54 points, or 0.3%, to 2,197.67
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index dropped 4.09 points, or 0.1%, to 3,222.44
In New Zealand, the NZX deleted 45.67 points, or 0.4%, to 11,556.45
In Australia, the ASX 200 fell 16.8 points, or 0.3%, to 6,804.86
