Stock indices of the Asia-Pacific region (APR) are falling during trading on Friday, traders evaluate the results of the meeting of the Bank of Japan and quarterly reports of companies.
China’s Shanghai Composite fell 1.4% by 8:21 am KST, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 2.9%.
The drop leaders on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange are shares of Country Garden Holdings Co. Ltd. (-9.9%), China Mengniu Dairy Co. Ltd. (-9.5%) and Longfor Group Holdings Ltd. (-9.2%).
Shares of China CITIC Bank Corp. cheaper by 0.3%. The Chinese bank in the third quarter slightly increased net income on the back of an increase in net interest income and operating profit.
The value of the Japanese Nikkei 225 fell by 0.7% by 8:21 am KSK.
The Bank of Japan left unchanged the main parameters of monetary policy (MP) following the results of the two-day meeting that ended on Friday.
The short-term interest rate on deposits of commercial banks with the Central Bank was left at minus 0.1% per annum, the target yield on ten-year government bonds is near zero, the Japanese Central Bank said in a statement released after the meeting.
This was in line with the expectations of most analysts.
Meanwhile, unemployment in Japan rose to 2.6% in September from 2.5% a month earlier, according to data from the country’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
On average, experts predicted that the indicator would remain at the August level, according to Trading Economics.
By comparison, unemployment was at 2.8% in September 2021.
The stocks of industrial robots maker Fanuc Corp are the most significantly depreciated. (-5.5%), which released quarterly results that disappointed investors and worsened annual demand, citing weakening demand in China.
Also among the drop leaders in the index are papers Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. (-4.4%) and Hoya Corp. (-4.3%).
The South Korean index Kospi lost 0.6% by 8:25 am KSK.
Quotes of securities of one of the world’s largest manufacturers of chips and electronics Samsung Electronics Co. decrease by 3.2%.
Shares of another chip maker, SK Hynix Inc., fell 6.7% for a second straight session on the back of weaker-than-expected quarterly results and the company’s announcement of plans to cut capex.
At the same time, shares of automakers Kia Corp. grow by 0.8%, Hyundai Motor Co. – by 1.3%.
The Australian S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.9%.
The capitalization of the world’s largest mining companies BHP and Rio Tinto decreased by 5% and 4.4%, respectively.
The stock markets of the largest states of the Asia-Pacific region on Friday are declining following the world ones.
Stock indices of Western European countries following the session on Thursday fell to multi-month lows, the American Standard & Poor’s 500 ended trading at the lowest level since November 2020 on concerns about the state of the global economy, as well as due to increased geopolitical tensions and expectations of further monetary tightening. – credit policy of a number of major world central banks.
China’s Shanghai Composite index fell 0.3% by 8:24 pm, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng lost 0.1%.
Business activity in the industrial sector of China in September fell to 48.1 points compared to 49.5 points a month earlier, according to the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), calculated by Caixin Media and S&P Global. This is the lowest level since May. A PMI value above 50 points indicates an increase in activity in the sector, below – its weakening.
Analysts, on average, expected the indicator to remain at the August level, according to Trading Economics.
Meanwhile, a similar official indicator rose to 50.1 points from 49.4 points in August, the State Statistical Office said. The indicator exceeded this level for the first time in three months.
The official PMI for services and construction fell to 50.6 points in September against 52.6 points a month earlier. Consolidated PMI fell to 50.9 points from 51.7 points. Thus, both indicators decreased to the minimum level over the past four months.
The most significant decline in quotations on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange is demonstrated by the shares of sports goods manufacturers Li Ning (-4.7%) and Anta Sports Products (-4.3%), the Internet company Meituan (-4.2%), automotive BYD (- 3.9%), online retailer JD.com (-2.9%).
The value of the Japanese Nikkei 225 fell by 2% by 08:20 Moscow time. Since the beginning of September, it has lost about 7%.
The fall leaders on Friday are shares of automakers Mazda Motor (-8.1%), Mitsubishi Motors (-7.1%), Subaru (-6%), Nissan Motor (-5.9%).
In addition, the price of securities of the investment technology SoftBank Group (-2.5%), the manufacturer of consoles Nintendo (-3.6%), Fast Retailing Co., the largest clothing retailer in Asia, is declining. (-4.3%).
The South Korean Kospi index decreased by 0.1% by 08:13 Moscow time.
Quotes of securities of one of the world’s largest manufacturers of chips and consumer electronics Samsung Electronics Co. rose 1.9%, while automaker Hyundai Motor – fell 2.2%.
Retail sales in South Korea fell by 1.8% in August compared to the previous month. The last time the growth rate was recorded in November last year.
Relative to August last year, sales increased by 2.3%, which was the first rise in three months.
On average, experts expected the first indicator to decrease by 0.1%, the second – by 0.8%.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell 1.1%, following technology stocks.
In particular, the share price of Xero Ltd (-3.9%), Wisetech Global (-5.6%) and Block Inc. decreased. (-3.3%).
