Asian stock markets did not have a single direction this Wednesday (17). Among the biggest exchanges, Tokyo registered a decline after recent gains, but Shanghai showed gains.
In Japan, the Nikkei index closed down 0.40% in Tokyo, at 29,688.33 points. A possible profit-taking move occurred after four straight sessions of gains. Companies across industries were down today, with Recruit Holdings down 4.6%, Toshiba up 3.8% and Dentsu Group down 3.7%.
Inpex, linked to oil, advanced 1.9%, after the Japanese Ministry of Industry said it was studying a temporary measure to mitigate high gasoline prices, through subsidies to refineries, which would tend to curb wholesale prices.
In China, the Shanghai Stock Exchange ended with a gain of 0.44%, at 3,537.37 points, and the Shenzhen, with a smaller scope, rose 1.11%, to 2,592.04 points. Lithium-related papers and renewable energy fared well, and this week’s virtual meeting between the leaders of China and the United States supported the big picture.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index ended down 0.25% at 25,650.08 points. Profit-taking may have weighed in this case too, after a streak of six in a row.
Exporter stocks pulled the lows after recent strong gains. Among stocks in focus, Sunny Optical fell 4.4% and Shenzhou International, 1.5%. Developers have also backed off after recent gains amid speculation over possible Beijing government aid to the sector.
In Taiwan, the Taiex index closed up 0.40%, at 17,764.04 points.
In South Korea, the Kospi index dropped 1.16% to 2,062.42 points. Papers from airlines and the energy and biotechnology sectors were among the lows, and the recent advance of Covid-19 cases in the country has imposed some caution on investors.
Oceania
In Oceania, on the Sydney Stock Exchange, the S&P/ASX 200 index closed down 0.68%, at 7,369.90 points. Commonwealth Bank of Australia fell 8.1%, after warning about its margin, in an environment of strong competition and low interest rates, which led the financial sector in general to the red. Mining companies also retreated.
Reference: CNN Brasil
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