The main indices of the Asia-Pacific region show different directions. Some indices are declining, among them the Chinese Shanghai Composite and Shenzhen Composite, which lost 0.42% and 0.06% respectively, as well as the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index, which decreased by 1.35%. At the same time, other indices show a slight increase: the Australian S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.08%, the Japanese Nikkei 225 at 0.22%, and the Korean KOSPI at 0.71%.
A number of different reasons contributed to this ambiguous behavior of the Asia-Pacific indices: the deterioration of the situation with COVID-19 in China and the concerns about the possible economic recovery as a result.
Market participants reacted positively to the Bank of Japan's decision to leave the rate unchanged at -0.1%. However, the central bank's forecasts regarding the increase in GDP worsened somewhat: to 2.4% from 2.9% announced in April. As for the increase in inflation, expectations, on the contrary, increased to 2.3% from 1.9%.
At the same time, the country has seen an increase in imports of goods by 46.1%, which turned out to be higher than analysts' forecasts, who expected an increase in imports by 45.7%. Exports also increased (by 19.4%), which also exceeded expectations of 17.5%.
Of the companies included in the calculation of the Nikkei 225 index, Nikon, Corp. (+2.5%), GS Yuasa, Corp. (+2.4%), as well as Fujitsu, Ltd. (+2%) noted an increase in the value of securities.
Some support for the Asia-Pacific indices was provided by US indicators, which closed the day before with an increase of up to 1.5%. The growth of US indicators is primarily due to the good results of quarterly reporting of companies, especially among the technology sector.
Of the components of the Hang Seng Index, Country Garden Services Holdings, Co., Ltd. (-6.4%), Longfor Group Holdings, Ltd., (-5.3%), China Resources Land, Ltd. (-4.4%), as well as Haidilao International Holding, Ltd. (-2.2%) were marked by a drop in quotes.
The companies that form the basis of the calculation of the Korean KOSPI, on the contrary, showed an increase in the share price. Thus, Samsung Electronics, Co. securities gained 1.5%, and Kia Corp. at 0.5%.
The largest companies from Australia show a drop in quotes: BHP Group, Ltd. securities fell by 1.7%, and Rio Tinto. Ltd. by 2.8%.
While the price of Zip Co. shares rose by 13% after the announcement of the company's plans to optimize its operations in the international market for profit.
