Stocks in Asia-Pacific mostly edged higher on Thursday as investors reacted to the release of a private survey on China’s services sector activity in November.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 gained 8.39 points, or 0.1%, to close Thursday at 26,809.37.
The Japanese yen traded at 104.32 per U.S. dollar, having seen levels around 104.7 against the greenback yesterday.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index regained 195.92 points, or 0.7%, to 26,728.50.
Australia’s seasonally adjusted balance of goods and services saw a surplus of 7.456 billion Australian dollars in October (approx. $5.52 billion U.S.), according to the country’s Bureau of Statistics. That was higher than an expected surplus of 5.8 billion Australian dollars in a Reuters poll.
The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.7428, following levels below $0.738 seen yesterday.
CHINA
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 shed 10.08 points, or 0.2%, to 5,057.06.
The Caixin/Markit services Purchasing Managers’ Index for November released Thursday came in at 57.8, rising from October’s reading of 56.8.
PMI readings above the 50 mark signify expansion, while those below that level represent contraction. PMI readings are sequential and show month-on-month expansion or contraction.
Earlier this week, China’s official PMI data showed that services sector activity expanded for the ninth straight month. The official non-manufacturing PMI reading for November was 56.4, as compared with 56.2, according to data from the statistics bureau.
In other markets
In Korea, the Kospi index added 20.32 points, or 0.8%, to 2,696.22.
In Taiwan, the Taiex Index slid 12.05 points, or 0.1%, to 13,877.09.
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index moved higher 11.39 points, or 0.4%, to 2,822.34.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 dumped 79.78 points, or 0.6%, to 12,648.91.
In Australia, the ASX 200 gained 25.07 points, or 0.4%, to 6,615.27.
