Equity indices in the Asia-Pacific region ended Thursday on a mostly lower note while markets in India were closed for a holiday.
Japan’s Nikkei: -0.5%,
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng: -1.3%,
China’s Shanghai Composite: +0.1%,
India’s Sensex: CLOSED,
South Korea’s Kospi: -0.5%,
Australia’s ASX All Ordinaries: -1.4%.
Overall investor sentiment was dampened by reports of U.S. strikes on Iranian targets.
Japan’s extra budget bill will be sent to the parliament next week.
The Bank of Korea left its policy rate at 2.50%, as expected, though a couple of rate hikes are being planned for the next six months.
Hong Kong
April trade deficit HKD29.5 bln (last deficit of HKD89.1 bln). April Imports 44.4% m/m (last 41.2%) and Exports 42.9% m/m (last 35.8%)
Australia
Q1 Building Capital Expenditure -3.8% qtr/qtr (last 2.5%), Q1 Private New Capital Expenditure 6.5% qtr/qtr (expected 1.2%; last 0.7%, and Q1 Plant/Machinery Capital Expenditure 18.1% qtr/qtr (last -1.3%)
New Zealand
January Budget deficit NZD9.31 bln (last deficit of NZD14.80 bln)