Stocks in Asia-Pacific Increase but Hong Kong and Japanese Stocks Decline

Hong Kong and Japanese stocks decline, while Chinese, Singapore, and South Korean stocks advance

Hong Kong stocks experienced a significant drop on Friday, with the Hang Seng Index (HSI) down by 1.6% at 15,952.23. Meanwhile, the Nikkei 225 Index (NIK) of Japanese companies declined by 1.3%, reaching 35,751.07.

Positive traction for Chinese and Singapore markets

On the other hand, Chinese stocks saw a slight increase, with the Shanghai Composite Index (SHCOMP) adding 0.1% and reaching 2,910.22. Additionally, the FTSE Straits Times Index (STI) of Singapore stocks experienced a growth of 0.4%, reaching 3,158.94.

Mixed performance in South Korea and Australia

South Korea's KOSPI Composite Index gained 0.3%, reaching 2,478.56. Meanwhile, the Australian Securities Exchange was closed and did not witness any trading activity.

Hong Kong stock movement recap:

Among the constituents of the Hang Seng Index, several companies saw notable performance changes on Friday:

• Biotechnology services company Wuxi Biologics (Cayman) experienced the largest decline, with shares plunging by 18.2%.
• Medical laboratory services firm WuXi AppTec and computers/consumer electronics company Lenovo Group witnessed declines of 16.4% and 9.9% respectively.
• In contrast, gambling industries company Galaxy Entertainment Grp had the largest increase, with shares rising by 2.0%.
• Real estate services/transactions firm Sun Hung Kai Properties and oil and gas exploration company CNOOC gained 1.0% each.

Japanese stock movement recap:

Among the constituents of the Nikkei 225 Index, the following companies experienced significant changes in their stock performance on Friday:

• Semiconductors company Renesas Electronics witnessed the largest decline, with shares going down by 7.8%.
• Semiconductors firms Advantest Corp and Sumco weakened by 5.5% and 4.5% respectively.
• On the other hand, steel production company Pacific Metals saw the largest increase, with shares jumping by 14.4%.
• E-commerce firm Rakuten Group and industrial building construction company JGC Holdings registered increases of 3.5% and 2.3% respectively.