SINGAPORE – Shares in the Asia-Pacific were mixed in Tuesday’s trading, after major indices rose on Wall Street to reach the overall high overnight in the east.
The Nikkei 225 in Japan fell 0.88%, while the Topix index fell 0.79%. South Korea’s Kospi also shook off 0.46%.
Chinese shares in the mainland have changed little, with the Shanghai component and the Shenzhen component both fractionally lower.
China’s business activity grew in March, according to a private sector survey released on Tuesday. The Caixin / Markit Purchasing Managers’ Index for March rose to 54.3 from the 51.5 reading in February.
PMI readings above 50 suggest expansion, while those below this level mean contraction. PMI readings are consecutive and represent the month-on-month expansion or contraction.
In Australia, the S & P / ASX 200 rose by 0.78%. The Reserve Bank of Australia will announce its interest rate decision on Tuesday around 12:30 HK / SIN.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific stocks outside Japan traded 0.24% higher.
Markets in Hong Kong closed for a holiday on Tuesday.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 373.98 points to 33,527.19 overnight on Wall Street. The S&P 500 also broke a record when it rose by 1.44% to 4,077.91. The technically heavy Nasdaq Composite gained 1.67% to end its trading day at 13,705.59.
Currencies and oil
The US dollar index, which follows the rate behind a basket of its peers, was at 92,614 – lower than levels above 93 seen earlier.
The Japanese yen traded at 110.26 per dollar, weaker than levels around 109.5 against the greenback seen last week. The Australian dollar changed hands at $ 0.7646 after a bounce yesterday of around $ 0.76.
Oil prices were higher on the morning of trading hours in Asia, with the international benchmark for Brent crude futures up 1.09% to $ 62.83 a barrel. U.S. crude futures rose 1.16% to $ 59.33 a barrel.
Here’s a look at what’s on tap:
- Australia: Reserve Bank of Australia’s interest rate decision at 12:30 HK / SIN