Most Asian stocks rose as Macau casino operators rebounded in Hong Kong and Canon Inc. said it would buy back shares, outweighing slumps for Great Wall Motor Co. and Wilmar International Ltd.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 index gained 35.81 points, or 0.3%, to 14,199.59
The Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong tacked on 25.87, or 0.1%, to 21,862.99
Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd. jumped 5.6% after dropping 7.6% yesterday. Camera-maker Canon rose 1.9% in Tokyo
Amorepacific Corp., a skin-care product manufacturer, surged 11% in Seoul. Great Wall tumbled 17% in Hong Kong after China’s biggest maker of sport-utility vehicles suspended sales of its new flagship Haval following quality customer complaints.
Singapore-based Wilmar, the world’s largest palm-oil trader, sank 3.9% after posting a decline in profit.
South Korea’s Kospi index rose after the central bank left its benchmark interest rate at 2.5% for a 12th straight month.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index was dragged lower by Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd., trading without the right to the current dividend.
Envestra Ltd. surged 18% to A$1.335 after billionaire Li Ka-shing’s Cheung Kong Group joined the battle for the Australian natural-gas distributor with a cash bid that values the firm at A$2.4 billion ($2.3 billion U.S).
In other markets;
Shanghai’s CSI 300 Composite dropped 1.59 points, or 0.1%, to 2,133.91
Taiwan’s Taiex Index strengthened 41.21 points, or 0.5%, to 8,889.69
Korea’s Kospi index gained 5.95 points, or 0.3%, to 1,956.55
The Singapore Straits Times Index inched forward 4.44 points, or 0.1%, to 3,252.13
New Zealand NZX 50 index dipped 8.74 points, or 0.2%, to 5,152.67
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 subtracted 15.93 points, or 0.3%, to 5,460.84
