Asia-Pacific markets were mixed Monday as traders assessed China’s loan prime rate announcement, with focus also on Japan’s general election at the end of this week.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index dipped 27.15 points, or 0.1%, to 38,954,60.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index retreated 325.65 points, or 1.6%, to 20,478.46.
Other key economic data this week will include October inflation figures for Japan’s capital city of Tokyo, as well as advance third-quarter GDP figures from South Korea.
CHINA
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 gained 9.97 points, or 0.3%, to 3,935.20.
China’s central bank cut the one- and five-year LPRs by 25 basis points to 3.1% and 3.6%, respectively.
This has been indicated by the People’s Bank of China Governor Pan Gon7sheng on Friday.
ING in a note last week also said that the PBOC was likely to release its rate decision for the medium term lending facility on Friday, although it is expected to be left unchanged at 2% after being reduced by 30 basis points last month.
In other markets
In Taiwan, the Taiex hiked 55.26 points, or 0.2%, to 23,542,53
In Korea, the Kospi index recovered 11.1 points, or 0.4%, to 2,604.92.
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index fell 25.61 points, or 0.7%, to 3,614.58.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 moved higher 99.34 points, or 0.8%, to 12,923.23
In Australia, the ASX 200 prospered 61.16 points, or 0.7%, to 8,344.39.