Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed on Friday following losses on Wall Street, with concerns over Middle East tensions keeping investors on edge in the run up to September’s U.S. payrolls report.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 gained 83.56 points, or 0.2%, to 38,635.62.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng regained 623.36 points, or 1.5%, to 22,736,83, resuming a rally after slipping 1% in its first hour of trade.
Japan’s Nippon Yusen slid 9.48% and Kawasaki Kisen dropped 9.65%. South Kore’s Pan Ocean lost 4.77%, while HMM declined 5.06%. Taiwan’s Yang Ming Marine fell 9.08%.
October trading has had a shaky start as rising tensions in the Middle East weigh on investor sentiment. Following a decline in stocks on Tuesday due to Iran’s missile strike on Israel, investors are bracing for more unpredictability as Israel begins a ground operation in Lebanon.
CHINA
Markets in Shanghai were shuttered for Golden Week holidays.
Markets in mainland China will reopen on Tuesday, Oct. 8. Chinese stocks had been on a tear after authorities announced a slew of support measures last week.
In other markets,
In Korea, the Kospi index edged up 8.02 points, or 0.3%, to 2,569.71
In Taiwan, the Taiex index slid 87.68 points, or 0.4%, to 22,302.71
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index eked up 11.7 points, or 0.3%, to 3,589.13.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 advanced 47.28 points, or 0.4%, to 12,619.94.
In Australia, the ASX 200 lost 55.19 points, or 0.7%, to 8,150