Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Wednesday, with some indexes struggling for direction amid concerns over the global economy. Investors are also waiting for inflation data from the U.S. due later this week.
The Nikkei 225 dipped 4.42 points to 26,396.83.
Japan’s yen was hovering around 146 against the U.S. dollar.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng lost 131.33 points, or 0.8%, to 16,701.33.
South Korea’s central bank raised interest rates by 50 basis points to 3% on Wednesday, in line with expectations. The Korean won strengthened and last changed hands at 1,424.71 per dollar.
CHINA
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 gained 56.62 points, or 1.5%, to 3,784.31
Banks in China extended 2.47 trillion yuan ($344 billion U.S.) of new loans in September, compared with 1.25 trillion yuan in August, the country’s central bank said in a statement late Tuesday.
That comes after the People’s Bank of China’s efforts to boost credit by lowering interest rates this year.
Analysts polled by Reuters expected new loans to come in at 1.8 trillion yuan.
In other markets
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index retreated 21.81 points, or 0.7%, to 3,083.19.
In Taiwan, the Taiex settled 24.79 points, or 0.2%, to 13,081.24
In Australia, the ASX 200 eked up 2.56 points to 6,647.54.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 slumped 83.48 points, or 0.8%, to 10,873.23.
