Stocks in Asia-Pacific were mixed on Thursday as investors reacted to regional economic data releases.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 gained 218.38 points, or 0.9%, to 23,465.53.
The Japanese yen traded at 106.20 per U.S. dollar after weakening from levels around 106 against the greenback yesterday.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng docked 112.49 points, or 0.5%, to 25,007.60.
Australian markets were on the march Thursday. The moves came as Australian Bureau of Statistics trade data for July showed exports declining 4% month-on-month. Imports, meanwhile, saw a 7% increase in July as compared to the previous month.
On the back of that data, the Australian dollar changed hands at $0.7306, having slipped yesterday from levels above $0.735.
CHINA
The CSI 300 shed 26.79 points, or 0.6%, to 4,817.10.
A private survey showed China’s services sector activity expanding in August. The Caixin/Markit services Purchasing Managing Index (PMI) came in at 54.0, as compared to July’s reading of 54.1.
PMI readings above 50 signify expansion, while those below that level represent contraction. The readings are sequential and indicate on-month expansion or contraction.
Following the PMI data release, the onshore Chinese yuan traded at 6.8342 against the greenback after an earlier low of 6.8445 per dollar.
The Chinese currency’s offshore counterpart changed hands at 6.8361 per dollar.
In other markets
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index subtracted 8.15 points, or 0.3%, to 2.531.79.
In Korea, the Kospi added 31.53 points, or 1.3%, to 2,395.90.
In Taiwan, the Taiex index regained 58.47 points, or 0.5%, to 12,757.97.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 climbed 152.07 points, or 1.3%, to 12,055.06.
In Australia, the ASX 200 jumped 49.4 points, or 0.8%, to 6,112.61.
