Shares in Asia-Pacific were mixed on Tuesday, as data showed accelerating Chinese factory activity growth in December.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index hiked 510.08 points, or 1.8%, to 29,301.79.
The Japanese yen traded at 115.74 per U.S. dollar, still weaker than levels below 114.9 seen against the greenback last week.
The Hang Seng index in Hong Kong inched higher 15.09 points, or 0.1%, to 23,289.84.
Chinese tech stocks listed in Hong Kong fell, with shares of Tencent dropping 0.8% while Meituan shed 1.7%. Those losses came after China’s cyberspace regulator announced that, beginning Feb. 15, internet platforms with data for more than one million users will need to undergo a security review before listing overseas.
Meanwhile, shares of debt-laden China Evergrande Group briefly surged more than 6% after resumption of trading following a Monday halt before giving up some of those gains. The stock closed 1.26% higher, though it remains close to its all-time low level of 1.42 Hong Kong dollars per share (about $0.18) touched on Christmas Eve, according to Factset.
Evergrande announced Tuesday that it saw 443.02 billion yuan (about $67.67 billion) worth in contracted sales of properties in 2021 — a more than 30% plunge from 2020's figure.
The Australian dollar was at $0.7207, lower than levels above $0.726 seen yesterday.
CHINA
In China, the CSI 300 docked 22.6 points, or 0.5%, to 4,971.77.
Chinese factory activity growth accelerated in December, according to a private survey released Tuesday. The Caixin/Markit manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index came in at 50.9, rising from November’s reading of 49.9. Economists in a Reuters poll had expected the figure for December to rise to 50.
The 50-point mark in PMI readings separates growth from contraction. PMI readings are sequential and represent month-on-month expansion or contraction.
The official manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index for December, released last week, showed an acceleration in growth of Chinese factory activity that month. The official manufacturing PMI for December came in at 50.3 from November’s reading of 50.1.
In other markets
In New Zealand, markets remained closed for the New Year Holiday,
In Korea, the Kospi index gained but 0.47 points to 2,989.24.
In Taiwan, the Taiex index jumped 255.84 points, or 1.4%, to 18,526.35.
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index gained 46.89 points, or 1.5%, to 3,181.14
In Australia, the ASX 200 rocketed 145.12 points, or 2%, at 7,589.76.
