The stock indexes of the largest countries in the Asia-Pacific region (APR) are mainly strengthening at the auction on Thursday, with the exception of the Hong Kong indicator.
Optimistic statistics on the increase in the number of jobs in the United States, published yesterday, dampened hopes that the US Federal Reserve may slow down the pace of tightening interest rates, writes MarketWatch. This put some pressure on stock markets.
The number of jobs in the US private sector in September increased by 208 thousand compared to August, according to the ADP Research Institute. Analysts polled by Dow Jones estimated an increase of 200,000. In August, the number of jobs increased by 185,000, and not by 132,000, as previously reported.
Traders are now waiting for the US Labor Department’s September unemployment report, which will be released on Friday at 3:30 p.m. Experts estimate the unemployment rate in the country last month at 3.7%, the same as in August, and the increase in the number of new jobs in the economy as a whole at 250,000, writes Trading Economics.
Market participants also evaluated the OPEC + decision.
Ministers of the OPEC+ countries at a meeting on Wednesday decided to reduce oil production quotas in November by 2 million bpd.
The value of the Japanese index Nikkei 225 to 8:24 qoq increased by 0.9%.
The growth leaders among the components of the index are the shares of the IT company Rakuten Group Inc. (+4.7%), which issues credit cards Credit Saison Co. Ltd. (+3.9%) and retailer Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd. (+3%).
The Hong Kong indicator Hang Seng fell by 0.17% by 8:27 qoq.
The drop leaders in the index are the shares of the pharmaceutical company Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. (-7.3%), automaker Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd. (-4.9%) and solar panel manufacturer Xinyi Solar Holdings Ltd. (-3.5%).
Shares of Chinese lithium battery manufacturer CALB Co. depreciated in debut trading in Hong Kong, dropping 1.6% below the placement price of 38 Hong Kong dollars ($4.84) per paper.
Exchanges in mainland China are closed due to the National Day holidays.
The South Korean index Kospi by 8:22 quarter is growing by 1.5%.
The market value of one of the world’s largest chip manufacturers Samsung Electronics Co. increased by 1.8%, automaker Hyundai Motor – by 1.1%.
The Australian S&P/ASX 200 added 0.03%.
Shares of the world’s largest mining companies BHP and Rio Tinto increased by 0.6% and 0.2%, respectively.
