Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed on Tuesday as investors remained cautious over rising coronavirus cases, U.S. stimulus negotiations as well as Brexit talks between the U.K. and the European Union.
The U.K. and the European Union are making last efforts to reach a post-Brexit trade deal this week. Both sides remain divided over three issues: fisheries, competition rules and governance of their potential deal. They have been stuck on these three areas since early summer.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 lost 80.36 points, or 0.3%, to 26,467.08. Elsewhere, the Japanese yen changed hands at 104.10 per U.S. dollar, weakening from an earlier level around 103.94.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index gave up 202.29 points, or 0.8%, to 26,304.56.
The health-care arm of Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com made its trading debut in Hong Kong and saw its share price surge compared to the company’s issue price.
In South Korea, the Kospi declined as the number of daily reported cases of Covid-19 remains high. The country reported 594 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, including 566 domestically transmitted infections, Yonhap reported.
South Korea in recent weeks has seen a surge in infections and health officials warned daily cases could near 1,000 next week unless the spread is brought under control, according to Yonhap. The country has enacted strict social distancing measures around Seoul and other areas.
Oil stocks in Australia declined: Shares of Santos fell 2%, Oil Search was down 1.6% and Woodside Petroleum fell 0.2%. Woodside’s CEO Peter Coleman is set to retire in 2021.
The Australian dollar fell 0.18% to $0.7407.
In other markets
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 dipped 12.35 points, or 0.3%, to 5,009.88.
In Korea, the Kospi index flopped 44.51 points, or 1.6%, to 2,700.93
In Taiwan, the Taiex Index gained 10.38 points, or 0.7%, to 14,360.40.
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index nicked ahead 0.12 points to 2,825.63.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 added 63.58 points, or 0.5%, to 12,719.59.
In Australia, the ASX 200 picked up 12.71 points, or 0.2%, to 6,687.73.
