Asia Mixed as Japan Exports Plunge - InvestingChannel

Asia Mixed as Japan Exports Plunge

Stocks in Asia-Pacific were mixed in Wednesday trade as investors awaited the U.S. Federal Open Market Committee’s quarterly update.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 regained 20.64 points, or 0.1%, to 23,475.53. The Japanese yen traded at 105.39 per U.S. dollar following a strengthening seen earlier this week from levels above 106 against the greenback.

The moves came after provisional trade statistics from Japan’s Ministry of Finance released Wednesday showed the country’s exports in August falling 14.8% as compared to a year ago. That compared against a 16.1% drop expected by economists.

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng docked 7.13 points to 24,725.63.

Apple supplier stocks in the region were mixed on Wednesday.

In Japan, shares of Murata Manufacturing dipped fractionally while Sharp shed 0.7%. South Korea’s LG Display also declined 1.2%. Over in Taiwan, Hon Hai Precision Industry — also known as Foxconn — shed 0.4%. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, meanwhile, jumped 2.9%.

The moves regionally came after the Cupertino-based tech giant on Tuesday announced new devices and services, including a new Apple Watch and two new iPad models.

The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.7312 after slipping from levels above $0.733 yesterday.

In other markets

The CSI 300 lost 31.12 points, or 0.7%, to 4,657.36.

In Singapore, the Straits Times Index tacked on 19.32 points, or 0.8%, to 2.505.15.

In Korea, the Kospi subtracted 7.66 points, or 0.3%, to 2,435.

In Taiwan, the Taiex index vaulted 131.11 points, or 1%, to 12,976.96.

In New Zealand, the NZX 50 revived 43.96 points, or 0.4%, to 11,814.71.

In Australia, the ASX 200 re-strengthened 61.3 points, or 1%, to 5,956.13