Asia-Pacific stocks experienced mixed performance on Friday, January 5. While shares in Hong Kong declined for the fourth consecutive session, other markets showed signs of growth.
Hong Kong and Japan
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index (HSI) dropped by 0.7% to reach 16,535.33. On the other hand, Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index (NIK) saw a 0.3% increase, reaching 33,377.42.
China and Singapore
The Shanghai Composite Index (SHCOMP) of Chinese companies fell by 0.9% to 2,929.18, while the FTSE Straits Times Index (STI) of Singapore stocks gained 0.2% to 3,180.64.
South Korea and Australia
South Korea’s KOSPI Composite Index (180721) experienced a decrease of 0.3%, reaching 2,578.08. Similarly, the S&P/ASX 200 Benchmark Index (XJO) of Australian stocks dropped by 0.1% to hit 7,489.10.
Notable Increases and Decreases
In Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index (HSI), ENN Energy Holdings (2688) saw the largest increase as shares rose by 3.7%. Trip.com Group (9961), a travel agencies firm, and Haier Smart Home (6690), a household appliances company, also experienced gains of 2.9% and 2.8% respectively.
However, Hansoh Pharmaceutical (3692), a pharmaceuticals company, witnessed the largest decline in Hong Kong with shares weakening by 6.7%.
In terms of the Nikkei 225 Index (NIK), Konami Group (9766), a games software company, saw the largest increase on Friday with shares gaining 4.3%. Additionally, Resonac Holdings (4004), a chemicals firm, and Nomura Holdings (8604), an investment banking company, experienced gains of 4.2% each.
Meanwhile, Renesas Electronics (6723), a semiconductors company in Japan, witnessed the largest decrease as shares fell by 4.2%.
Lastly, Nitori Holdings (9843), a furniture and home furnishings retailing firm, and Lasertec (6920), a measuring and precision instruments company, fell by 3.6% and 3.4% respectively.
