Asian markets were mostly higher on Thursday, following gains on Wall Street, though shares in Sydney fell ahead of this weekend’s federal elections.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 picked up 10.95 points, or 0.1%, to 14,064.82.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index spiked 271.75 points, or 1.2%, to 22,597.97
Regional investors are anticipating a number of significant events that could impact markets. At the forefront is the monthly labour report in the U.S., out Friday, which will be interpreted as a sign over whether the Federal Reserve will roll back its bond-buying program.
The yen was stable against the dollar after gaining 0.2% overnight - last at ¥99.70 to the dollar compared with ¥99.75 late Wednesday in New York.
The main catalyst on Thursday for the yen will be the Bank of Japan’s news conference later in the day, and whether Governor Haruhiko Kuroda will hint at additional easing measures.
Japanese car companies managed to make gains after reporting strong sales in the U.S. in August. Honda Motor Co. rose 2% and Toyota Motor Corp. was 0.5% higher.
CHINA
The Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 docked 8.96 points, or 0.4%, to 2,341.74, with shares in companies expected to benefit from the Shanghai’s planned free-trade zone pulling back after strong gains in recent sessions.
Shanghai International Port fell 1%, after surging 95% over the previous nine sessions and Shanghai Jinqiao Export Processing Zone dropped 0.9% after a 70% gain over the same period.
In other markets;
The Taiex Index in Taiwan recovered 85.66 points, or 1.1%, to 8,169.10
Korea’s Kospi Index gained 18.62 points, or 1%, to 1,951.65
The Singapore Straits Times Index gained 24.03 points, or 0.8%, to 3,039.45
In New Zealand, the Exchange 50 Gross Index fell 5.95 points, or 0.1%, to 4,604.35
In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 dropped 19.13 points, or 0.4%, to 5,142.51
