Hong Kong and Japanese Markets Decline, Others See Gains
Asia-Pacific stocks mostly increased on Friday, Dec. 8, with the exception of the Hong Kong and Japanese markets which declined for the second session.
Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index (HSI) fell by 0.1% to 16,334.37.
The largest decrease in Hong Kong was seen by jewelry retailing company Chow Tai Fook Jewellery, as its shares declined by 5.2% on Friday.
On the other hand, optical instruments company Sunny Optical Technology experienced the largest increase in Hong Kong, with its shares gaining 2.1%.
Japan
The Nikkei 225 Index of Japanese companies dropped by 1.7% to 32,307.86.
Among the Nikkei 225 Index constituents, printing company Toppan Holdings saw the largest decline on Friday, as its shares fell by 5.3%.
Motor vehicle parts firm JTEKT Corp. and metalworking machinery company Amada saw declines of 5.0% and 4.9%, respectively.
Frozen foods company Nichirei, however, experienced the largest increase on Friday, as its shares added 6.2%.
Online service providers firm LY and banking company Resona Holdings also saw gains of 4.4% and 1.8%, respectively.
Other Asian Markets
China’s Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.1% to 2,969.56.
The FTSE Straits Times Index of Singapore stocks rose by 1.1% to 3,107.36.
South Korea’s KOSPI Composite Index gained 1.0% to 2,517.85.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Benchmark Index increased by 0.3% to 7,194.90.
Among the other Asian markets, the largest decrease was seen by real estate services/transactions firms China Resources Land and China Overseas Land & Inv, as they weakened by 4.6% and 3.9% respectively.
On the other hand, gambling industries firm Galaxy Entertainment Grp and life insurance company AIA Group saw gains of 2.1% and 1.9% respectively.
