Asian markets were mixed in early trading Thursday, as the Bank of Japan kept its ultra-easy monetary policy unchanged following the U.S. Federal Reserve’s interest-rate cut.
The BOJ’s move — or lack thereof — was expected, though the central bank hinted that could cut interest rates even deeper into negative territory at its October meeting.
On Wednesday, the Fed lowered its benchmark interest rate by a quarter-point, and suggested it was open to another cut before the year’s end.
Japan’s Nikkei NIK, +1.01% rose 1% while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index HSI, -1.07% fell 1%. The Shanghai Composite SHCOMP, +0.02% inched up 0.1%, while the smaller-cap Shenzhen Composite 399106, +0.36% rose 0.5%. South Korea’s Kospi 180721, +0.29% advanced 0.4%. Stocks were about flat in Singapore STI, -0.05% , and down in Taiwan Y9999, -0.37% , Malaysia FBMKLCI, -0.31% and Indonesia JAKIDX, -0.36% . Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 XJO, +0.56% rose 0.7%.
Among individual stocks, Sony Financial 8729, +4.46% gained in Tokyo trading, along with semiconductor-equipment maker Advantest 6857, +3.77% and Tokyo Gas 9531, +2.86% . In Hong Kong, Apple suppliers AAC 2018, +4.95% and Sunny Optical 2382, +1.54% rose while AIA 1299, -2.53% and PetroChina 857, -2.59% fell. Samsung 005930, +2.10% and SK Hynix 000660, +2.12% advanced in South Korea while Apple component maker Largan Precision 3008, +1.43% gained in Taiwan. After a big gain Wednesday, clothing retailer Kathmandu KMD, -1.77% retreated in Australia.
