Equity markets were mixed in Asia on Thursday, as traders in South Korea returned to work, but other bourses remained closed for the Lunar New Year holiday.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 was down 1.06% at 27,241.31, as the yen weakened 0.3% against the dollar to last trade at JPY 114.80.
It was a negative day for the benchmark’s major components, with robotics specialist Fanuc down 1.5%, Uniqlo owner Fast Retailing losing 3.66%, and technology holding giant SoftBank Group 0.12% weaker.
The broader Topix index was off 0.86% by the end of trading in Tokyo, ending the day at 1,919.92.
Investors in mainland China were still off for the extended Lunar New Year holiday, as were those in Hong Kong.
South Korea’s Kospi returned from its break to rise 1.67% to 2.707.82, with the blue-chip technology stocks mixed in Seoul.
Samsung Electronics ended the session flat, while chipmaker SK Hynix was 2.9% firmer.
Oil prices were lower as the region went to bed, with Brent crude last down 1.45% at $88.17 per barrel, and West Texas Intermediate losing 1.53% to $86.91.
“Another decent day for US markets as they finished higher for the fourth straight day, except for the Russell 2000, but we still look set to see European stocks open modestly lower this morning, after Asia markets slipped back and Facebook owner Meta missed on its earnings numbers and issued weak guidance, knocking US markets lower in post market trade,” said CMC Markets chief market analyst Michael Hewson of the global situation on Thursday morning.
In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 was off 0.14% at 7,078.00, although major miners were in the green in Sydney.
BHP was up 3.09%, Fortescue Metals added 3.27%, and Rio Tinto was 2.43% firmer.
Across the Tasman Sea, New Zealand’s S&P/NZX 50 managed gains of 0.37% to 12,335.32, with travel stocks leading the gains after a tentative and conditional reopening of New Zealand’s border was announced.
Tourist vehicle operator THL jumped 4.4%, and majority state-owned flag carrier Air New Zealand was 3.3% firmer.
New Zealand’s borders have remained closed for all foreigners, and severely restricted for citizens and residents, since April 2020.
Both of the down under dollars were weaker against the greenback, with the Aussie last off 0.33% at AUD 1.4061, and the Kiwi retreating 0.09% to NZD 1.5092.
