Stocks in Asia Pacific rose on Tuesday, with investors continuing to watch for the reopening of economies as coronavirus containment measures are eased.
In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 popped 263.22 points, or 1.2%, to 22,325.61, as shares of index heavyweight and conglomerate Softbank Group surged 3.3%.
The Japanese yen traded at 107.78 per U.S. dollar after weakening from levels around 107.4 yesterday.
The Hang Seng index in Hong Kong gained another 263.42 points, or 1.1%, to 23,995.94
Australian markets improved. In a statement released Tuesday announcing the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) decision to maintain its current policy settings, RBA Governor Philip Lowe said: “Over the past month, infection rates have declined in many countries and there has been some easing of restrictions on activity.”
The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.6799 after seeing an earlier high of $0.6813.
CHINA
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 added 12.23 points, or 0.3%, to 3,983.57.
Developments on recent tensions between the U.S. and China likely weighed on investors sentiment.
Media reports circulated Monday that China has told state-owned firms to pause on purchases of soybeans and pork from the U.S.
That came on the back of U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent announcement that he would begin taking action to eliminate Hong Kong’s special treatment, following China’s approval of a controversial new national security bill for the city.
In other markets
In Korea, the Kospi tallied 22.11 points, or 1.1%, to 2,087.19
In Taiwan, the Taiex index progressed 48.91 points, or 0.4%, to 11,127.93
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index moved upward 60.77 points, or 2.4%, to 2,611.63.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 returned from a long weekend with a flourish, jumping 151.76 points, or 1.4%, to 11,034.17
In Australia, the ASX 200 picked up 15.94 points, or 0.3%, to 5,835.09.
