Asian indexes were mixed Thursday, with Shanghai-listed stocks dropping sharply as strong economic growth data raised concerns that China's central bank may further tighten monetary policy.
In Tokyo, Japan's Nikkei 225 average lost 0.5 percent at 16,284.17, after rising as high as 16,438.57 earlier in the session. The broader Topix index dropped 1 percent to 1,548.07.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index slipped 0.2 percent to 19,551.21, giving up early gains, tracking the sharp losses in Shanghai. However, the Hang Seng Index ended 1.8 percent higher at 29,854.49.
Shares of Mizuho Financial Group fell 3.9 percent on reports that it booked losses of 50 billion yen ($438.6 million) in the half-year ended Sep. 30, related to the banking group's U.S. subprime market exposure.
Shares of Sony Corp. lost 1.4 percent, while Canon Inc. dropped 2.6 percent on the yen's appreciation against major global currencies recently.
Shares of Nintendo Co. advanced 1.3 percent before it announced that its first-half net income more than doubled on strong sales of its gaming consoles and raised its earnings forecast for the full year.
In Hong Kong, property stocks led the charge, with shares of Cheung Kong adding 7.8 percent and SHK Properties advancing 8.4 percent on hopes lower interest rates will further improve their earnings prospects.
Shares of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the largest bank in the world by market value, fell 0.3 percent in Hong Kong.
ELSEWHERE:
MUMBAI: India's Sensitive Index added 1.2 percent to 18,739.37.
SEOUL: The Kospi overcame intraday volatility to jump 2.2 percent to 1,976.75, helped by strong earnings reports from Hyundai Motor Co. and Samsung Securities.
SINGAPORE: The Straits Times Index advanced 1.4 percent to 3,699.85.
TAIPEI: Taiwan's Weighted index advanced 1.3 percent to 9,568.26.
SYDNEY: Australia's S&P/ASX 200 ended 0.2 percent lower at 6,624.30.
WELLINGTON: New Zealand's NZX 50 index declined 0.6 percent to 4,267.14.
with files from other wire services
