Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed Thursday as investors assessed a slew of economic data in the region, with China stocks leading gains.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 added another 312.62 points, or 0.8%, to 39,958.87.
The Bank of Japan is holding its next policy meeting today and tomorrow, where the BOJ governor Kazuo Ueda had signaled intentions to hike rates.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index skidded 78.21 points, or 0.4%, to 19,700.56.
South Korea’s economy expanded 1.2% year on year in the fourth quarter, marking its slowest expansion since the second quarter of 2023.
CHINA
China’s CSI 300 regrouped 6.72 points, or 0.2%, to 3,803.74
China’s financial regulators on Thursday urged large state-owned mutual funds and insurers to purchase more shares, as Beijing seeks to bolster its faltering stock market.
In other markets
Markets in Taiwan were shuttered for holiday.
In Singapore, the Straits Times index recovered 25.36 points, or 0.7%. to 3,806.57
In Korea, the Kospi index sank 31.57 points, or 1.2%, to 2,515.49.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 regained 22.94 points, or 0.2%, to 13,060.08
In Australia, the ASX 200 settled 51.07 points, or 0.6%, to 8,378.71
